A FESTIVE appeal has been launched to ensure hundreds of deserving children across the borough receive a present to open on Christmas Day.

Dudley Council's family and adolescent team has joined forces with Sainsbury's stores in Amblecote and Merry Hill for the annual toy appeal.

Last year generous customers and staff donated more than 100 toys and gifts for families struggling to cope with Christmas.

Councillor Tim Crumpton, cabinet member for children’s services and lifelong learning, said: “Thanks to the generosity of shoppers and the kind efforts of the staff at Sainsbury’s we were able to make sure children and young people had gifts and a Christmas party that so many others of us take for granted. I hope we are able to do the same again this year.”

Kevin Healy, store manager at Amblecote said: “We hope our customers at Amblecote and Merry Hill stores will once again get behind this good cause and donate gifts in support of the impressive work of Dudley’s family and adolescent support team.”

Shoppers can donate toys until Saturday (November 15).