KIND-HEARTED residents of Edgworth helped light up the faces of children on Christmas Day morning by donating a van-load of presents.

An appeal was launched at the three pubs in the village to collect gifts to deliver to Fortalice's refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence.

Signs were put up outside the Black Bull, White Horse and Rose and Crown appealing for people to help "make a child's Christmas more like yours".

Organiser Phil McDermott said they requested 24 presents and were delighted and overwhelmed by the response of about 300 donations.

Mr McDermott, who helped deliver the gifts on Christmas Eve, said: "We put notices up in the three pubs in Edgworth.

"There were presents for girls and boys of all ages."

Dozens of presents were donated by people from Edgworth but also the surrounding areas, including a woman from Radcliffe who read about the appeal on social media.

Julie Roscoe, landlady of the Black Bull, Bolton Road, said: "We have got more stuff than we need.

"We have literally got a room full. Everything is brand new — from a selection box to a kiddy's kitchen, Tonka Trucks, a bike, scooters, dressing up stuff.

"You name it, we have got it.

"It's going to Fortalice and we are now thinking we might split it between two charities.

"We've only been doing it a week."

Gill Smallwood, Fortalice's director of services, said: "From our point of view, we are just so grateful for the generosity of everybody who has collected for us

"I feel really quite overwhelmed.

"Without people like those who have collected for us, we could not do our job.

"I would like to offer a huge thank you — their giving helped light up the face of a child on Christmas Day morning."