Florida construction workers have used a 59m crane to deliver a “sleigh” containing more than 1200 toys to young hospital patients.

The spectacular delivery of the industrial bin – decorated to look like Santa Claus’ sleigh – to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St Petersburg was made last week, local broadcaster FOX 13 reports .

Video shows intrigued children watching on as a man in a Santa uniform operates the crane, lowering the bin before them.

Workers dressed as elves then approach the bin to help distribute gifts to waiting children and parents.

Other workers venture inside the hospital’s infusion centre to hand presents to those children with limited mobility.

Project superintendent Todd Collier said his team felt “extremely privileged” to work on the hospital’s new research and education centre and saw last week’s surprise as a chance to “give back a little”.

Hospital patient Lizzie said she found the event “really cool”.

“I really liked how Santa Claus worked the crane and how Rudolph was the one flying the sleigh,” she told FOX 13.

Construction on the new centre is not expected to be completed until mid-2018.