STAFF at a shopping centre have teamed up with local charities to launch an annual appeal for needy children.

Every year, Operation Christmas Child sends shoeboxes packed with gifts to children in central and eastern Europe. Durham's contribution to the charity collection will get under way at the Millburngate Shopping Centre on Saturday, November 5.

Volunteers are asked to pack shoeboxes with toys, school equipment, toiletries, sweets and other gifts, and deliver them to the Priceless Shoes store, in the centre, by Sunday, December 4.

Leaflets and empty shoeboxes can be picked up from the centre and filled with gifts suitable for either a boy or girl in three age groups - two to four, five to nine or ten to 14.

Last year, shoppers from the centre donated 164 shoeboxes. Centre director Andy Bradley said: "We were delighted with the response from shoppers last year, and this year we are keen to beat last year's figure.

"Thousands of people will visit Durham this Christmas and we are appealing to our customers' generosity and asking them to support the shoebox appeal."