A pub in Burnham-on-Crouch has launched its first big campaign today (Monday 1 November), in a bid to help struggling local families this Christmas.

The Give a Child a Christmas campaign by The Victoria Inn, owned by Lorna and Raymond Hart, will see children across the town receiving toys as Christmas gifts thanks to kind donations from residents.

Lorna, who opened the refurbished The Victoria Inn with Raymond earlier this year, said: "It's very simple - we're asking all our customers and friends to buy a toy and bring it to us, then when we have everything we need, we will distribute the toys in time for Christmas.

"We have already identified several local families who really need some help.

"Christmas can be very tough for people when they are struggling financially, especially given what many have been through over the past 18 months with the pandemic, so it's a massive help to be able to give their children some toys."

The campaign is working with a number of local charities who help underprivileged children and, in total, Lorna and Raymond hope to provide toys for 500 children.

Lorna added: "No one but the children benefit from this - it's not like donating money where only a percentage ends up in the hands of those that need it.

"Every toy will be given to a child."

To take part in the campaign, all you need to do is drop a toy off at The Victoria Inn on Belvedere Road in Burnham-on-Crouch.

The pub needs toys for newborn babies to children aged up to 16 years old.

It has asked for nothing too elaborate and no second-hand toys.

Please do not wrap the toy yourself as staff need to identify what it is to get it to the right child.

The pub will be collecting the toys from today until Friday 17 December.