YOUNG patients on the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital's Children's Unit should be allowed more blankets to keep them warm and be offered a wider choice of food at mealtimes.

These are the key recommendations from an an unannounced visit by patients' watchdogs.

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen spoke to children, staff and parents and guardians.

Several young patients complained about being to cold at night while some were concerned it could be too hot.

The Healthwatch report recommends hospital bosses take steps to 'supply blankets or fans to ensure mixed responses form children and young people and their families about temperature are acted upon'.

There were also complaints about the lack of choice on daily menus.

The report recommends steps be taken to 'increase children and young people’s awareness of other food choices if they don’t want what is on offer'.

Meg Davey, assistant director of patient experience for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We were delighted to receive such excellent feedback "