SECRET Santa, a Christmas charity will be given temporary use of Blackburn Mall for people to donate toys.

The charity's goal is to provide a sack of seven presents to 1,000 disadvantaged children,which means they will need 7,000 presents.

They also have plans to provide a series of parties across Blackburn with Darwen for 300 elderly, lonely people.

Phil Boulding Managing Director of the charity, said they want to bring people together, with balloons and music, a hot meal and a box of presents to take home.

Mr Boulding said: “We are absolutely thrilled at this opportunity, and at the kindness of the Mall operators as we can now improve our visibility amongst BwD townsfolk and surrounding areas.

"Anyone wanting to drop off a toy or cash donation will now have a really convenient location to do so.

"We are going to build a toy tower so that when families come in with a toy, they can add it to the tower and help it to grow."

The shop is set to open on Saturday October 26.