THIS year’s Big Bolton and Bury Toy Appeal is now up and running.

Once again the public of Bolton are being urged to dig deep and help children who would, otherwise, have a very miserable Christmas.

When you are doing your Christmas shopping pop in an extra gift or toy and take it to one of the drop off points.

You can be assured it will be most welcome on Christmas morning by the families.

Each year the appeal, co-ordinated by Bolton Lions and supported by The Bolton News, has helped struggling families and has done so for 30 years.

The need is as great as ever.

The drop off points in Bolton are at

Miller Metcalfe, 35 Lee Lane, Horwich, Bolton; BCC Suzuki, Hypatia Street, Bolton; Tesco Bolton Horwich Extra, Mansell Way, Middlebrook; Asda, Astley Bridge, Moss Bank Way, Bolton; Asda, Burnden Park, Manchester Road, Bolton; Asda, Farnworth, Brackley Street, Farnworth; Asda, Middlebrook, The Linkway, Middlebrook Retail Park; The Market Place, Bolton; Bolton News, The Wellsprings, Civic Centre, Victoria Square, Bolton; Smyths, Middlebrook Retail Park; The Southfields, 19 Green Lane, Bolton;

Toby Carvery Bolton, Crompton Way; Decathlon, Trinity Street, Bolton; Horwich Community Centre, Beaumont Road, Horwich; Readeys Sports Trophies, 428 Chorley Old Road Bolton; Hays Travel, 64 Market Street, Westhoughton; Hays Travel, 72 Winter Hey Lane, Horwich; Wyevale Garden Centre, Wigan Road, Bolton; Boots Chemist, Crompton Place Shopping Centre, Bolton; St Peter’s Parish Church Centre, 347 Church Road, Bolton;Alexandra West, Sales & Lettings, 469 Darwen Road, Bromley Cross; Jeff James Hair Shop, 528 Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge; Kindergym, Lostock Parish Centre;

The Coffee Shop At The Triangle, Chorley Old Road; Buchanan’s, 37 Winter Hey Lane, Horwich, Bolton.

Charities who will be helping children and families through the toy appeal are Bolton Lions, Bolton at Home, Urban Outreach, Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Bury and Bolton Women’s Refuge, Bury West and North Children’s Centre Hub and Radcliffe Children’s Centre Hub.