CHILDREN from Lew Trenchard Primary School have handed over a collection of gifts packed into shoeboxes as part of the Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

The appeal is co-ordinated by the Fairplace Wives and Friends Group, based at Fairplace Church in Okehampton.

The school has helped to support this appeal for a number of years and they have been delighted by the response yet again.

The shoeboxes are destined for Eastern Europe, Asia or Africa and are part of 'Operation Christmas Child'.

Tim Woodward, headteacher at Lew Trenchard, said: 'It is really important that our pupils can think  about others who are far less well off than themselves and for whom these gifts will bring real joy and excitement.

'Understanding the lives of others and having a caring, compassionate attitude  is an important part of our school ethos.

'The pupils have really enjoyed giving these gifts to less fortunate children.'