OUR readers are getting into the Christmas spirit by donating gifts for some of the area's neediest children.

The annual Caring Christmas Appeal, run by the Bolton Evening News and the Bolton Lions' Club, was launched last week.

The aim of the appeal is to ensure hundreds of children from needy families get gifts on Christmas Day.

And already readers have sent in cheques as well as boxes of toys and other gifts.

Chorley Old Road United Reformed Church held a coffee morning and raised £100.

Businesses have been generous, too. Book publishers including Simon and Schuster UK, William Heinemann, Frederick Warne and Co and The Women's Press have sent in a variety of books.

Boots and Nivea press offices have sent a selection of beauty products and Barrington Harvey has delivered computer games.

Toys have come from the Pittilla Press and PR Agency and from the HPS-PR Agency.

Haydock Park Racecourse has supplied two complimentary passes for any race meeting next year which will be raffled in aid of the appeal. And Hollywood Bowl at Middlebrook has provided two family bowling memberships.

Edwards and Co Estate Agents have sent a bottle of wine and Mark Forrest and Co Conservatories in Westhoughton have provided a variety of goodies. But the campaign needs more, from second-hand toys to items which can be used as raffle prizes.

Many parents contact the Caring Christmas campaign, either directly or through local organisations and agencies to ask for help at this time of year.

Requests for help include one from a father who was left alone to bring up his three children after the death of his wife earlier this year, and one from a mother who has seen the letter to Santa sent by her son, but cannot afford to buy any of the requests.

Please send any donations to Caring Christmas Appeal, Angela Kelly, Features Editor, Bolton Evening News, Churchgate, Bolton. BL1 1DE. Cheques or postal orders can be made out to Bolton Lions.

You can leave your contribution to our appeal at the following collection points:

Asda store, Middlebrook

Asda store, Farnworth

Alliance & Leicester, Deansgate, Bolton

Astley Bridge Post Office, Blackburn Road

Blackrod Health Centre

Edwards & Co, Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge

Readey's Sports Trophies, Chorley Old Road, Bolton

St Andrews Travel, Market Street, Westhoughton

Conways Toymaster, Market Street, Westhoughton

Village News, Darwen Road, Bromley Cross

Safeways store, Breightmet

Tesco Extra store, Middlebrook

John Benyon butcher's, Highfield Road, Fanworth

Nationwide Building Society, Victoria Square, Bolton

Village News, Blackrod

Beefeater Restaurant, Lee Lane, Harwood

Yorkshire Building Society, Mealhouse Lane, Bolton

Barton Grange garden centre, Wigan Road, Bolton

Horwich Resource Centre, Beaumont Road

For larger items, ring Bolton Lions: Blackrod: Brian Mann on 01204-698273; Astley Bridge and Halliwell: Jim Wells 307949; Bromley Cross and Harwood: Douglas Darroch 301827; Farnworth and Kearsley: John Crompton 572029; Breightmet and Tonge Moor: John Archer 527253; Great Lever: John Crompton 571540; Egerton and Dunscar: Tony Murphy 307364; Deane and Daubhill: Babu Roye 305585; Westhoughton: John Poulson 841610; Chorley Old/New Road: 458672.