NEEDY children across Bolton are hoping residents will give them a happy Christmas.

Hundreds of youngsters will benefit from the annual Caring Christmas Appeal, which has been launched by the Bolton Evening News and the Bolton Lions.

Each year, volunteers receive requests for festive gifts from many local charities and schools to try to ensure that disadvantaged children around the borough will have reason to smile on Christmas morning.

Last year, more than 800 children received toys and other gifts - thanks to generous readers and companies who donated new and used toys, along with an avalanche of cash in a record-breaking campaign.

Now, appeal organisers are hoping that the many calls on charity cash this year will not stop local people from helping those who need aid nearer to home.

"We know that we can rely on the people of Bolton to share the true Christmas spirit as they always do," said a Lions' spokesman.

The appeal urgently needs:

l Donations of cash: Nothing is taken out of the appeal for expenses so every penny goes towards giving local children a happier Christmas. Could you organise a collection at work or college, or make a donation in lieu of cards to colleagues this year? Make cheques out to Bolton Lions and send them and any other cash donations to Caring Christmas Appeal, Ann Maria Costello, Editorial Department, Bolton Evening News, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE.

l Gifts of toys, books and games: In good condition that your own children may have finished with and now another child could enjoy.

l New gifts for youngsters you will never meet: Older children aged 11 to 16 in particular get neglected at this time of year and, though they put on a brave face, love presents just the same as the younger ones do.

Gifts can be taken to any of the collection points listed. Larger items can be collected by members of Bolton Lions.

Asda store, Middlebrook

Asda store, Farnworth

Alliance & Leicester, Deansgate, Bolton

Astley Bridge Post Office, Blackburn Road (near Asda)

Barton Grange Garden Centre, Wigan Road, Bolton

Benyon Butchers, Highfield Road, Farnworth

Crompton Place shopping centre, Bolton

Conways Toymaster, Market Street, Westhoughton

Boots, Shipgates shopping centre, Bolton

Edwards & Co, Bradshawgate. Bolton

Horwich Community Centre, Beaumont Road, Horwich

Nationwide Building Society, Newport Street, Bolton

Readey's Sports Trophies, Chorley Old Road, Bolton

St Andrews Travel, Market Street, Westhoughton

Tesco extra store, Middlebrook

Co-op store, Bromley Cross

Village News, Bromley Cross

Gillett Travel, Lee Lane, Horwich

To have larger items collected, contact:

Blackrod - Brian Mann tel 01204-698273; Astley Bridge and Halliwell - Jim Wells, 307949; Bromley Cross and Harwood - Gordon Jewitt, 602771; Farnworth and Kearsley - Charlie Straw, 572029; Breightmet and Tonge Moor - John Archer, 527253; Great Lever and Westhoughton - John Crompton, 571540; Egerton and Dunscar - Tony Murphy, 307364; Deane and Daubhill - Babu Roye, 305585; Chorley Old Road/New Road - John Berry, 458672; Horwich - David Seager, 669406.