MORE than 1,000 needy children across the Bolton area will have gifts on Christmas morning thanks to Bolton Evening News readers.

The annual Caring Christmas appeal run by this newspaper in conjunction with the Bolton Lions for the past 24 years has this year resulted in help for more than 400 local families who simply could not afford festive gifts for youngsters.

And the Lions' Brian Mann said that the generosity of local residents and businesses has been overwhelming.

Brian said: "We have been absolutely delighted with the response. There has been the best ever collection of toys, and the quality of gifts has been remarkable."

Individuals have happily spent large amounts on buying a main gift for a child they will never meet. And at Asda, Middlebrook, one female customer even bought two £100 mountain bikes for cash and left them anonymously for the appeal.

Brian said: "We have given one to an 11-year-old girl and the other to a 13-year-old boy and the families were so pleased with these unexpected gifts".

Eleven churches from around the Bolton area and five different organisations made substantial donations to allow the Lions to buy £1,500 worth of toys for an early start to try to help the families.

And 18 shops, stores, banks and building societies across the borough acted as collection points for gifts.

Many local businesses have supported the appeal, including Currys at Middlebrook, Hilary Ann fashions, Smiths Bathroom & Plumbing in Lostock, Birthdays, Warburtons, Drew Brady & Co, Morrisons, Mecca Bingo at Breightmet, Total Fitness, Gordons car dealers, Saks in Churchgate and Fitness First for Women.

There were also many cheques and cash donations sent into the newspapers Churchgate offices to help buy items. At Tesco, where shoppers could leave gifts for individual children on the store's special Christmas tree, several people had written personal messages of goodwill to accompany new toys they left.

Lions president Babu Roye said: "We would like to thank everyone who has helped make this years campaign such a success."

"On behalf of all the children who have received gifts, we wish you a very happy Christmas and New year."