HOMELESS families in west Wiltshire were brought together on Wednesday for a Christmas party in Melksham.

Around 40 families were invited to Kingsbury Square hostel for the event organised by parenting alone support service Splitz.

Fran Lewis, Splitz manager, said: "Life is grim when you live in a hostel.

"The idea is to make things a little more pleasant at a very difficult time.

"We cannot press a magic button and give people a house but we can make Christmas a better experience."

Peugeot dealership Oval of Westbury donated half the Christmas presents it collected as part of a nationwide campaign to give toys to families in need.

The firm collected 250 brightly gift-wrapped packages. (25267/1)