A RAMSBOTTOM charity shop is providing the perfect solution to unwanted Christmas presents by urging people to donate them to raise money.

Novelty socks, ill-fitting jumpers and 'chintz' ornaments are just some of the 15 million presents that go unwanted every year and Sue Ryder Care is calling for them to be brought in.

The charity, which has a shop in Bridge Street, provides palliative and neurological care at 17 care centres nationwide and needs to raise £13 million in voluntary contributions.

Liz Yates, business manager for the area, said: "We are not encouraging people to be ungrateful but it is a fact of life that some of the gifts under the tree will be wide of the mark. The temptation is to squirrel them away, but these gifts can be converted into vital funds."