GENEROUS mums have donated stacks of Christmas presents originally bought for their children to those less fortunate in the area.

Barrow foodbank has received a surge of gifts after mum Sarah Bland rallied up the troops on social media, calling on parents to give one of their Christmas purchases to the charity.

Alison Griffiths is the deputy project manager at Barrow foodbank and was thrilled with how many gifts the centre has received.

She said: "We have been giving presents the last three to four years, but it has really captured people's imaginations this year.

"We want to give out new toys to respect the children; we want to give them something nice.

"It's been going wonderfully."

Ms Bland decided to donate some gifts after hearing a piece on the radio about how many children would have to go without this year and asked her friends on Facebook to help.

People have also donated selection boxes and stocking fillers and Mrs Griffiths said the gifts have made some "little faces very happy".

Donated toys will be wrapped and handed out according to age and gender so children will get gifts they can really enjoy.

Presents will be handed out across December to all children up to the age of 16 who attend the foodbank with the families.