A lion was on the loose at Epsom Hospital, but visitors and patients had nothing to fear as he was there to help.

The mascot of the charitable organisation Leatherhead Lions was at the hospital to present a £3,000 donation by the Lions to the Epsom Hospital Medical Equipment Fund (EMEF).

Bess Harding, founder of the EMEF, said the Lions had a productive Christmas appeal which raised the money. 

She said: "Word soon got around the hospital that a lion was loose in the building and people came to investigate and when they realised it was the Leatherhead Lions Mascot Roary, there was much laughter and amusement to see Roary padding around the corridors.

"Roary had a sling to hide and protect the money which he was guarding.

"Everyone is most grateful to the Lions and they should know that the donation will be put to good use in the hospital."

The money will be used to buy a replacement dental X-ray digital detector.

Jim Malynn, Lions president, added: "We had a successful Christmas collection and it was felt that Epsom General Hospital, our local hospital that treats many of those people who gave so generously, should be the recipient of this money."