Shoeboxes full of gifts from Swindon are among the first batch of a national collection to be given to deprived children in Eastern Europe this year.

Operation Christmas Child is a campaign to distribute toys, sweets, stationery and toiletries to needy youngsters in 14 countries.

The shoeboxes have been contributed by schools, churches, community organisations and businesses, as well as members of the public.

Boxes collected from Wilts-hire are in the first batch of 250,000 on their way to their destinations in 19 articulated lorries.

They will be given out this week in Bosnia, Croatia and Romania.

This will be followed by a series of distributions in 11 other countries, with the final one taking place in Russia in early January as part of the main Christmas celebration period in the country.

Operation Christmas Child area co-ordinator Hilary McFall said: "We are still processing shoeboxes for the later distribution trips, and anyone who still wants to make a contribution should get in touch.

"We are going all out to beat last year's UK and Ireland total of 1.3 million shoeboxes, and the local support this year has been just fantastic."

Anyone wishing to participate should call 0870 011 2002.