Dozens of children have been given an extra Christmas present this year thanks to Chiseldon Mothers' Union.

Twenty members of the Union collected four sackloads of teddy bears and presented them to residents of Bromford Housing Group.

Rosemary Hancock, of the Union, said: "We have done different projects over the years but came up with the teddy bear idea after one of our members said they had lots of teddies their grandchildren had grown out of.

"We thought it was a shame for them to go to waste as they are all in good condition and wanted to donated them to people for Christmas."

Bromford Housing Group provides flats for almost 40 people awaiting permanent accommodation. It operates two sites The Circle, in Pinehurst, and another in Beaumaris Road, Toothill.

Sam Smiles, 31, a support worker at the Group, said the teddies were a welcome gift.

"Everyone who received a teddy is extremely grateful," she said. "We offer flats to people who have come from the homeless register until they are able to find permanent accommodation.

"They are mostly single parents and at this time of year it is difficult to find the money to treat children to Christmas presents.

"So we are all delighted that the Mothers' Union thought of us."