STAFF at WH Smith have been buying extra presents over the last few weeks to ensure needy children in the area have a happy Christmas.

Members of staff at the warehouse in Greenbridge Industrial Estate have brought in gift-wrapped presents indicating on the tag whether it is for a girl or boy and the age of the child.

Lynette Walker is a distribution centre operative who joined in the scheme this year.

Miss Walker, 31, said: "It is a wonderful idea to help these children at Christmas time. There are about 20 of us on the staff but Smiths also donated presents.

"It is something we'll definitely repeat next year."

Barbara Lenderyou, a family support worker at Swindon Council, said the donations have been rolling in every Christmas for the last ten years, during which time hundreds of children have benefited.

This year the children can look forward to receiving a range of gifts from make-up and games to Harry Potter books.