A community organisation is appealing to residents to make Christmas better than ever for families in need in Hyndburn.

Accrington Lions’ annual Christmas Toy Appeal, supported by the Observer, provided gifts for around 180 children last year. The gifts are given to parents suffering financial hardship.

Lion May Edmundson said: “They’re so grateful. They’d have nothing to give their child otherwise, which is heartbreaking.

“We’ve been astounded in previous years by the amount people have given us.”

Toys can be dropped at any one of five venues. These are Pampered Pets, 378 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle; Cheeky Duck Designs, Unit 15, Richmond Industrial Estate, Accrington; Acorn Community News, Oswaldtwistle; Oswaldtwistle Mills Business and Conference Centre, Clifton Mill, Pickup Street; or Simply Gifts, in Accrington Market Hall.

Donations of new and nearly new toys and games are requested by Wednesday, December 15.

Please do not donate soft toys.

If you have no transport, call Suzzan Gilbert on 01254 399550 or May Edmundson on 07806 093068.