THESE children won't forget Christmas in a hurry and it's all thanks to you.

The Evening Advertiser Christmas Appeal, which was supported by thousands of readers, reached a successful end today.

The last of three van loads of games, dolls, teddy bears and other toys was delivered to Swindon's needy and vulnerable.

Acting upon the instruction of Father Christmas, van driver Lisa Reddie arrived at Uplands School in Penhill.

Head teacher Mary Bishop asked the children in this photo-graph to pose with the toys but didn't tell them they were for them.

Instead Uplands packed them up before surprising pupils with them on their last day of school before Christmas.

"We are really thrilled, they are lovely presents and it's not always easy to find gifts that are suitable for our pupils.

"But it seems that your readers have come up trumps again," said Mrs Bishop. There are 68 pupils at Uplands, a school for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

For the second year, the Toy Appeal was run in conjunction with the Swindon Rotary Club.

Toy drop off points were set up around the town in November and gifts from readers started flooding in.

By mid December more than 1,000 items had been donated and the appeal drew to a close allowing time for Rotary and Advertiser staff to sort through them.

A total of £2,375 in cash was also collected and will be dis-tributed among local charities.

Nylands School for youngsters with emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties, received its pile on Wednesday.

Children were called into a special assembly and told they would each be given a toy.

Senior teacher Colin Jones said: "They are really over the moon and the staff are all excited too."

He added that playing with toys also helps develops the children's social skills.

"We have been given a construction kit which is exactly the type of thing that will encourage the children to interact."

Who benefited from the appeal

Uplands School Penhill

Homestart Milton Road.

Otters Jeffries Avenue.

NSPCC North Swindon Family Centre Atworth Close.

Chalet School Queens Drive.

Brimble Hill Lindhurst Crescent.

The Welcome Centre Lindhurst Crescent.

The Walcot Family Centre.

Nylands School Nythe.

Women's Refuge Park North.