AFC BOURNEMOUTH supporters got the chance to grab the perfect Christmas gift on Wednesday thanks to a special calendar signing session at Vitality Stadium.

Cherries players Nathan Ake, Jermain Defoe, Emerson Hyndman and Charlie Daniels were on hand at the club superstore to meet fans and provide them with an ideal stocking filler.

Although the players were not due to arrive until 3.30pm, fans queued up from around 2pm to make sure they got a prime slot with their heroes.

The event proved popular with the community, as fans of all ages took up the opportunity to have photos and meet the players.

Claire Byrne, from Poole, who was the first to get her hands on a calendar signed by the Premier League stars, said: "I came down mainly for Defoe because I am a big fan of Jermain and I've got the calendar as a Christmas present for my eight-year-old son."

Dave and Frances Loader, who live just over a mile from the stadium, were also one of the first to meet the players.

Dave has been coming to watch the Cherries since the 1950s and said his family had followed on from him.

"The calendars are for our grandson and our son-in-law who are both massive AFC Bournemouth fans," Frances said.

"Our grandson gets all sorts of stuff from the store at Christmas, but this will be an extra special one."

Ben Yarrow, who is eight and attends St Ives Primary School, made sure he got pictures with each of the players alongside his signed calendar.

"It was really good to meet them and they were all so nice and friendly to talk to," Ben said.

Cherries travel to Wales on Saturday to face Swansea as they look to record a third Premier League win in a row.

Speaking at the signing session, Charlie Daniels said the players are always willing to meet supporters and interact with them.

"It is something as a club we want to promote and it is a good thing to do," he said.

"A few of the other lads went out into the community earlier in the week and visited a school to help out.

"It is always lovely to see the fans and it is nice when you have had a good few results, but the fans have supported us through thick and thin, and they've been loyal to us for a good number of years.

"Hopefully we can pick up another win at the weekend. We've prepared really well this week and we're in a good run of form."