MID Cheshire children can look forward to a Christmas to remember thanks to this year's toy appeal.

Gifts of every shape and size were gathered in to boost the appeal run by the Chronicle and Vale Royal Lions to help deprived children across the district. Your kindness also extended to older children who sometimes get overlooked in the rush, and our fantastic Santas from Vale Royal Lions were over the moon with the response. Lions welfare chairman Penny Tatt said: 'We were delighted with the quality of the gifts and genuinely surprised to see so much had been donated. It will give children who need our help a Christmas to remember.'

Numerous gifts were collected from retailers and shoppers by Tricia Friar, of Munchkins in Northwich. The grandmother-of-two said: 'I have always supported the toy appeal because it spreads so much happiness at this time of year. It means that children who would otherwise go without wake up to some presents from Father Christmas on Christmas morning.'

A mountain of gifts was also collected by Hartford Manor Primary School, Weaverham's Wallerscote Primary School donated £100 for gifts for older children and many gifts were also donated by our readers. We are also grateful to Pettypool College for hosting the sorting operation, and to Lions members who spent hours wrapping gifts.