Essex Police has thanked Maldon district residents for their generosity, after more than 300 gifts were donated to the force's latest Christmas appeal.

The Maldon and Chelmsford policing team - which covers Burnham and the Dengie - runs the appeal each year to give gifts to children across the district who may not otherwise have anything to open on Christmas day.

Hundreds of children have again benefitted from the scheme this year, including children at Broomfield Hospital.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who kindly donated presents for the Christmas appeal.

"Over 300 presents were donated to the Chelmsford and Maldon Christmas Tree Appeal which have provided lots of joy over the Christmas period."

Officers work with Social Services, councils and organisations such as schools, foodbanks and refuges to identify families who would benefit from the donations.

More than 10,000 gifts were received by the force this year, who wrap and deliver the donations by Christmas Day.

Staff at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust helped officers deliver bags of Maldon donations to children at Broomfield Hospital.

The Essex Police spokesperson said: "We would like to thank the staff at Broomfield Hospital for kindly assisting and carrying all of the toys into the wards."