Everton manager Roberto Martinez surprised a group of Merseyside nurses while they were having a tour around Goodison Park.

The Spaniard greeted the 28 visitors in the dressing room while wearing a Christmas jumper and went on to hand each nurse a 'Blue Hero' award.

"It's one of those days that we, as a football club, are so proud to be able to give some good feeling back to many, many special people," the Daily Mail quotes Martinez as saying.

"What they do on a daily basis is so important and so vital for everyone in the community, for everyone in the city and Merseyside as a whole."

The nurses were also invited to a three-course dinner at the club's Dixie Dean Suite.