HUNDREDS of advent calendars have been donated to Warrington Food Bank to help put a smile of the faces of families who are struggling financially this Christmas.

Organiser Tammii Crosland, of Howson Road, Orford, said she was touched by the generosity of members of the public with more than 300 hundred advent calendars and 68 selection boxes collected.

The 34-year-old said: "One of my friends has been changed from income support to universal credit and she will have to go five to six weeks with no money.

"There must be plenty of other people out there who are in a similar situation.

"I remember as a child the most exciting part of Christmas is the countdown.

"I know it's only £1 to buy an advent calendar but if you don't have that £1 it might as well be £1m."

Punters and staff at The Albion in Orford and pupils, parents and teachers at St Andrew's Primary School in Orford have donated the bulk of the calendars and selection boxes.

The mum-of-four has issued a heartfelt thank you to those who have helped with the Christmas collection.

She said: "It has been touching to see the generosity of so many people.

"I'm sure there will be plenty of smiling faces when the calendars are given out."