Shoeboxes have been coming in thick and fast for Operation Christmas Child.

Organiser Judith Whalley has been out collecting the gifts all week and has taken them to a warehouse in Melksham ready to load onto the lorry.

Roundstone School, Trowbridge, was one of her first stops on Monday morning. Pupils, parents and staff have made 140 boxes and headteacher Mary Pearce has encouraged everyone to join in.

She said: "It's extremely important all the children appreciate there are others in the world that have nothing.

"The response has been particularly good this year, as Judith Whalley came in and showed a video and some photos. These vivid images made the problems in other countries hit home."

Although the boxes were taken on Monday, Mrs Pearce said the magic of Christmas had already started.

"It was a great feeling to see all the wrapped shoeboxes and the children enjoyed seeing the van take them away, as they could see the whole process from start to finish," she said.

Although the deadline for shoeboxes passed on Monday, Mrs Whalley said the drop off points and all branches of Kwik-Fit would still accept them.

"They must reach us as quickly as possible as we hope the last truck will leave on December 1," she said.

"The boxes have been pouring in. Some of the totals have been unbelievable. The children who receive them sometimes ask why we bother and care this much. One of our famous quotes is from a child who said the box was from a friend they didn't know they had. This quote still gives me goose bumps."