Train driver spreads joy with festive hats

A train driver is spreading festive joy with his handmade Christmas hats for the 15th year running.

Matthew Staniforth creates a new hat every Christmas and is sporting a number covered in orange tinsel, blue baubles and miniature track tracks for Southern Railway's customers to enjoy this year.

Mr Staniforth who lives in Littlehampton in West Sussex, said: "Christmas can be a difficult time for people because relationships can break down, or we can lose loved ones. I wanted to help relieve some of that pressure and spread some festive cheer to our passengers."

He also explained that his hats are "vetted" by management to make sure they comply with health and safety regulations.

"The first hat I created was black and had lights, tinsel, and 'bah humbug' written on it," Mr Staniforth said.

"Lots of people loved it and would burst out laughing when they saw it, so this inspired me to make a different hat every year."

He said this year he teamed up with a local business to help bring his design to life.

"I collaborated with an independent milliner, Isabella Josie, who is based in Arundel," he said.

"As she's married to another railway employee, she understands the rules and regulations we must follow, which made the process seamless.

"This hat turned out so brilliantly that we've already stated planning the next one."

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