THE Cornish Times has joined forces with The Salvation Army in Liskeard to help make Christmas special for local families in need.

Each year, many Salvation Army centres across the UK run a Christmas Present Appeal.

The aim is to provide gifts for children whose families have little or nothing to put under the tree on Christmas morning.

In Liskeard, the Salvation Army centre will be distributing presents to those local families who are most in need.

If you are starting your Christmas shopping in the next week or two, please consider adding a toy or a game, a teddy, or an item of clothing for a disadvantaged youngster in your community.

Throughout November and into December, donations of new, unwrapped toys and gifts are welcome, and will be passed to local people in time for Christmas Day.

The Cornish Times on The Parade and M and Co on Fore Street are acting as drop-off points for the donated gifts, as well as The Salvation Army Hall and charity shop on Church Street.

Captain Julian Short of the Liskeard Salvation Army said: ‘Everything we collect in Liskeard will be for people in our local community.

‘We ask for new toys and gifts, as we believe every child deserves a new gift at Christmas - we don’t want anyone to feel they are second best.

‘We’d also love donations of Christmas wrapping paper.’