HUNDREDS of gifts for children have been donated by the people of Hexham in what has become an annual tradition.

For the last 12 years, Aligned Chiropractic on Hencotes has been a drop-off point for the Salvation Army's toy appeal.

This year, with a squeeze on the finances of more families than ever due to the coronavirus crisis, there was more of a need for toys than ever to ensure that no children go without - and the people of the Tyne Valley have responded.

Chiropractor Belinda Ambrose was delighted with the amount of presents that had been donated.

She said: "We've been doing it for 12 years and it just gets better and better.

"People don't need prompting anymore, they're starting to ask us when it starts.

"It's great. We have got so many very generous visitors to the practice - many of them are fortunate enough to have never been in a difficult situation at Christmas."

Belinda felt the pandemic had meant that those who are able have put their hands in their pockets more than usual.

She continued: "There's more families in need than ever because of COVID, which has affected their livelihoods.

"I think people are really grateful that there's such a level of kindness.

"I would say there's perhaps two to three hundred gifts here this year.

The other thing is the collection points - I think we're the only one in the area. They rely on us and the people who donate, there's no doubt about it.

"Kids should always have a Christmas."