THE Giving Tree Appeal, in Darlington, has been given a boost by a residents' group.

Cockerton Residents' Community Association has given £250 from its Christmas Fair to the appeal run by Darlington Social Services.

The appeal aims to provide Christmas presents for families in the town who cannot afford them, by getting Christmas shoppers to buy an extra present, for The Giving Tree.

Gifts are being collected by The Northern Echo in Priestgate, Asda in Darlington and Spennymoor, and Alpha Radio, in Woodlands Road.

Social services will then collect the unwrapped presents, sort them into suitable age ranges and distribute them in time for Christmas.

Janet Robinson, of Darlington Social Services, said that, since the appeal's official launch last Friday, it had received lots of inquiries about donating gifts.

"It's so it's going very well," she said.

"We've got various events planned, including a choir concert on December 14 at Branksome School.