Travel agents have collected more than 250 gifts for children in care around Halstead during a Christmas appeal.

Customers and residents dropped into Premier Travel on Halstead High Street to donate presents suitable for newborns to children up to the age of 16.

Donations included cuddly toys, games and colouring packs to go towards the shop’s Santa’s Sack campaign.

The presents were collected by a representative from social services and delivered to youngsters in care across the Halstead area in time for Christmas.

Sarah Colson, branch manager, said: “We’re extremely pleased with the amount of gifts collected in this year’s appeal. One customer even spent more than £100 on toys for the children.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to all the customers and shoppers who contributed to the present sack and helped make the appeal a success.

“It’s so heartwarming to think of the difference these gifts will make to the lives of youngsters who don’t receive much at Christmas.”

Premier Travel in Halstead has been running its annual Santa’s Sack appeal for three years.