A Halton Borough Council recreation centre collected more than 200 presents from staff and customers to give to children in care in Widnes and Runcorn.

It means children who would otherwise have had little to celebrate this year, would get gifts to open on Christmas Day.

Staff and customers also raised £170 for the mayor’s charities, Child Bereavement UK and Let’s Go Stoke Club with a tombola.

Mayor Cllr Ged Philbin said: “I am always amazed by the generosity of people in this area. It’s often the people who have the least who give the most.”

Leisure Centres Manager Francis Edwards said: ‘’I would like to thank our staff, customers and members of the public for making this event a huge success’’