WRAP an extra Christmas present this year and help those less fortunate than yourselves

That's the message from Ramsbottom Rotary Club who have again launched their Shoebox Appeal.

And the club needs the help of schools, churches, Scouts, Guides, businesses and other members of the community to make it another huge success.

Shoeboxes, which are filled with food and practical items, are sent to Belarus, Albania, Kosovo, Romania, Ukraine, Turkey, Poland and other central and Eastern European countries to ease the plight of orphans and communities living in these countries.

Mr James Turner, international chairman, said: "These shoeboxes do make a vast difference to those who receive them. They live in conditions and at a level that cannot be imagined by us living here."

Last Christmas, a total of 1,500 shoeboxes were transported by Rotarians to Eastern Europe by the charity International Aid Trust to be distributed to orphanages, kindergartens, children's homes and hospitals.

Mr Turner added: "The shoeboxes are supplied by Rotary and instructions are on the lid of the boxes for the categories of the items required for example toys, non-perishable food, household goods and note paper and pens.

"A greeting card with the name and address of the sender together with a photograph may be included. And if possible a £1 coin attached to the the lid top to help towards transportation costs."

The boxes can be collected from Ramsbottom Library.