BOLTON residents are determined to get in the Christmas spirit -- by sharing it with some of the borough's poorest children.

Already, the Bolton Evening News/Bolton Lions Caring Christmas appeal has prompted a rash of kind gifts from readers.

Some have sent in cheques for £5 and £10, others boxes of toys, while some have bought new gifts.

At the Tesco Extra in Horwich, shoppers have been taking name tags from their special Christmas tree and buying gifts in the store for individual needy local children.

All these gifts will go directly to youngsters who might not otherwise have much festive cheer. And it is not just the children who are delighted.

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

"I don't know what I would do without your appeal," wrote one Farnworth dad, on his own with three young children and a teenage daughter after the death of his wife.

"The people who donated gifts last year meant that there were toys for each of the children, and they really did have a lovely Christmas because of them."

Every year, the Caring Christmas appeal helps hundreds of local families. But the BEN and Bolton Lions could not do this without your help.