THE Methodist Church at Pewsey is again working with Pewsey Vale School to provide some Christmas happiness for children in need overseas.

The school and church combine to collect boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Shoe boxes packed with small gifts including sweets and stationery are dispatched to needy children in many parts of the world.

This will be the third year the church in North Street has organised a gift-wrapping morning.

Over the past two years they have held a gift-wrapping morning that involves filling boxes with items donated by people.

Stephen Longson, Methodist church spokesman, said: " The morning is a fun filled morning and it gets everyone involved in a fun time filling boxes and at the same time helping to make a difference.

"It is always well supported by the surrounding community and on the day we are a drop off point for people who have completed boxes.

"Last year over 60 people from in and around Pewsey joined in at our Gift Wrap Morning and we were able to fill over 403 boxes breaking the previous year's record of 320 boxes."

Students at the village comprehensive school provided about 2,000 further wrapped boxes of gifts.

This year's wrapping morning at the church will be on Saturday November 20 from 10am to l1pm.

Information on items to be included in the parcels can be obtained from the Church office at the Bouverie Hall Tuesday or Friday mornings between 10am 12 noon or call (01672) 513701 or visit the church website www.Christchurchurc.me.uk.

A 12-foot long banner is being erected outside the church in Pewsey giving full details.

Drop off locations prior to November 20 will be the Wesley Hall (located behind the Methodist Church in Pewsey) every Tuesday from 2pm to 4.15pm where a drop bin will be located in the hall entrance.

In Marlborough parcels can be left at Christchurch in New Road on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10am and12 noon.