OH come all ye faithful...

That could quite easily be the Citizen's rallying cry to our wonderfully loyal readers as we launch our Christmas Tins and Toys appeal this week.

For the third successive year the appeal is in aid of Chorley Women's Refuge, which provides shelter for women and their children who have suffered domestic sabuse.

And for the past two years, refuge organisers have been simply astounded at the huge pile of goodies that have been donated to us here at our offices on Pall Mall, Chorley.

From churches to schools, pensioners to business folk, people of all ages and from all walks of life have rallied round and shown their support for the appeal.

Christ Stitt, of the refuge, said: "It is brilliant you are doing it for us again, I'm very grateful.

"The reaction over the past two years has been great, and all the women and children who we have had in over the year have benefited from the donations."

She added: "We would like to thank all the people of Chorley who have made donations. The first year was good, the second year was better and we hope the third year will be even better.

"It has really been a success."

The Christmas Tins and Toys appeal was set up by the Citizen to help vulnerable families at such an emotive time, with many of the women fleeing dangerous situations in a hurry, abandoning their familiar surroundings.

Editor Gill Ellis said: "The aim of the appeal is to let those women know that the people of Chorley are thinking of them, and to help them give their children as normal a Christmas as possible.

"In the past our readers have done us proud and this year looks set to be no different. We've already had people coming in and asking us when we are going to start collecting for it."

Anyone wishing to donate tins of foodstuffs and toys (new toys only please) can drop them off at our offices or give us a call on 01257 269313 and arrange for them to be picked up.