Boxes of Christmas gifts for displaced children in Ukraine are now on their way to their destination as a result of a local collection co-ordinated by Alton Rotary Club.

A total of 168 shoe boxes were donated in the Alton and Bordon area. The boxes contain a range of new items suitable for boys and girls of various ages from one to 15 years old, including educational books, toys, games, jigsaw puzzles, drawing materials, hats, gloves, scarves and socks.

Also included are toiletry items - soap, flannels, toothbrushes and hair accessories. Items are packed into the boxes, with each child receiving one box as a gift. But the boxes do not contain war-related items such as toy guns or religious or political books.

Many of the boxes were gifts from pupils at Oakmoor School in Bordon, as well as from villagers in Holybourne and from Ukrainians who have settled in the Alton area.

Across the Wessex region, 4,000 boxes have been collected by Rotary clubs and are being shipped to Ukraine in time for Christmas.

The collection in Alton was organised by Rotary member Lisa Hillan, who said she was delighted by the response this year, with the number of boxes tripled.

She said: "We are so grateful to those who provided a box - these gifts will mean a great deal to children who have suffered so much as a result of the conflict in Ukraine."

For more information about Alton Rotary Club visit the website at www.altonrotaryclub.uk