THERE is still plenty of time to donate toys to needy children as part of our Caring Christmas campaign.

Bolton Lions expect to be providing presents for around 1,100 children and teenagers which is an increase on last year.

Once again it is the older children the campaign — run by Bolton Lions and The Bolton News — is struggling to provide for as most of the presents we receive are for the younger children.

If you have anything suitable for boys and girls aged eight and over we would be delighted to receive them — particularly if you can spare anything for the teenagers who are notoriously difficult to find gifts for.

Each of the families helped by the appeal is relying on you, The Bolton News readers, to make this Christmas a special one for them. Without your help the children would be facing a very miserable festive season without presents to open on Christmas morning.

Bolton Lions charity volunteers are currently working hard checking used toys — including taking part in the painstaking job of counting jigsaw puzzle pieces — and dividing donated gifts between individual sacks which will go out to the families before the big day.

To donate all you need to do is pop along to any one of the locations listed where there is a collection box or ring one of the Lions' volunteers listed who will collect larger items or collect from readers unable to get to a collection box.

There is a collection box here at The Bolton News in the Wellsprings, Civic Centre (opposite Bolton Museum and Art Gallery) and one in the Market Place shopping centre as well as dozens of other handy locations.

A very generous congregation at The Triangle Church held a toy service and donated a wide variety of gifts for the appeal which was very much appreciated.