ONCE again, Westmorland Gazette readers are being urged to help bring a glimmer of festive hope to children living in poverty and hardship in Eastern Europe.

Last year, readers contributed an amazing 1,535 gift-packed shoeboxes to the Operation Christmas Child appeal, which aims to make Christmas a happier time for deprived and disadvantaged youngsters.

The boxes formed part of 9,000 collected locally, which were sent to Azerbaijan - between Armenia and the Caspian Sea - to be delivered in time for Christmas Day.

For the fifth year, The Westmorland Gazette is backing the massive aid project run by the Samaritans Purse charity, acting as a collection point for the finished shoeboxes and encouraging people to take part.

All you need to do is pick up a leaflet from one of the many drop-off points in the area, and follow the instructions to fill a shoebox with presents.

Include a £2 donation to cover transport costs and drop the shoebox off at one of the collection points.

David and Doreen Metcalf are co-ordinating the appeal locally for the sixth year.

The couple say the shoeboxes are often the only gifts the deprived youngsters receive.

Filled shoeboxes can be dropped off at The Westmorland Gazette office at 22 Stricklandgate, Kendal, or taken to the Ulverston office at 25 Market Street.

Other collection points in the area include Ottakars bookshop, in the Westmorland Shopping Centre, Kendal; K Village, Kendal; The Photo Shop, North Road, Ambleside; Mountain Goat Tours, Victoria Street, Windermere; Tebay Post Office; Brough Post Office; Kirkby Stephen Emporium and Post Office; and Cumbria Co-op, The Sands, Appleby.

All these outlets have leaflets, with full instructions on how to pack boxes and what items can be sent as well as labels to attach to the box.

Mr and Mrs Metcalf can be contacted on 017687-72707, or for more information call the charity's help-line on 0870-011-2002 or check out its website www.samaritanspurse.org.uk