Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has become a real-life Santa Claus - donating a massive £500,000 worth of toys in a bid to prevent any children going without a present on Christmas Day.

Former Reds captain Rio has made the stunning donation on behalf of himself and his Manchester restaurant Rosso to Key 103’s Cash for Kids campaign.

Father-of-three Rio made the donation after seeing first hand the good work of the Manchester radio station’s charity.

He said he couldn't bear to think of any child going without a Christmas present.

Rio said: “As a father myself I couldn’t see children going without opening a present this Christmas Day - the work that Cash For Kids at Key 103 do is truly amazing.

"I’m glad that my restaurant Rosso and I can be involved in this and certainly help put a smile on locals kids’ faces this Christmas Day.”

The donation was made last week - with a huge pile of children's toys making their way to the Mission Christmas warehouse, where they will now be distributed to children in need.

Key 103 Breakfast Show host Mike Toolan was alerted to the donation by Rio's Tweet on Thursday morning, and swiftly rang him to find out more.

Rio told Mike: "Me and the guys at Rosso have seen what's been going on in the city, and with obviously it being Christmas we know there are a lot of people less fortunate than we are so we've decided to donate £500,000 worth of toys and gifts. But Manchester has got to get behind what we are doing, everyone can get involved and donate what they can."

Mike said: "HALF A MILLION POUNDS? Rio I love you! Rio you've always done loads of good stuff for the city, you have changed so many lives in Manchester."

But modest Rio said: "We're not looking for a thank you, we're just trying to help people out."

Mike said: "I tell you what, one day you're going to get some special attention from that big guy."

And in a further gesture of seasonal goodwill, Rio has also donated 11,500 sleeping bags to the city's homeless community too.

Former England captain Rio, 38, is widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest ever defenders, capped for his country 81 times.

He is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time having won the Premier League six times with Manchester United, winning three League cups and lifting the Champions League trophy in 2008 as captain of United.

He retired from professional football in 2015, and now runs his own charitable foundation with the aim to inspire and enable young people to reach their potential, as well as having a number of business interests including his own fashion label, investments in film projects and co-owning Italian restaurant Rosso in Manchester city centre.

The Cash for Kids Mission Christmas campaign provides a helping hand for children up to the age of 18 living in poverty, or those who have suffered abuse, deprivation or neglect across Manchester.

Last year the campaign raised £2mn in gift and cash, and supported over 51,500 children, but there’s still much more to be done with shocking statistics that 1 in 3 children are still living in poverty across the region.

The charity is continuing to appeal for toy or cash donations in the run up to Christmas.

To make a donation or to find your closest drop-off point, visit key103.co.uk/charity/mission-christmas/