AN appeal to help bring some festive cheer to less privileged children and their families is being launched in Taunton next Wednesday (November 14).

The Salvation Army is appealing for toys and presents to be distributed across Taunton Deane in the run up to Christmas.

The Entertainer and Argos have joined in and are asking customers to buy extra toys and gifts and to leave them in the store.

Presents - preferably new - can also be left at a collection point in the Perkin Warbeck pub in East Street, Taunton.

Lieut Theresa Torr, of the Salvation Army, who is heading up the appeal, said: "We want to cheer up people who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas.

"We've run the appeal for a number of years and last year we collected 600 toy presents for children in the area.

"The appeal is running for a month and we will be distributing the presents in the week before Christmas."

The Salvation Army is also distributing food parcels to families unable to afford extras for the festive period.

Anyone wishing to donate tinned food and "cupboard stuff" can leave it at the Salvation Church Hall, in South Street, Taunton.

The hall is open all day on Mondays and Wednesdays and on Tuesday mornings - it is best to phone Theresa Torr first on 07962-538230.