GENEROUS shoppers in Port Glasgow Tesco have made sure less fortunate local children will have a present to unwrap on Christmas morning.

Lynn Emerson, the stores community champion, teamed up with Barnardo’s and the local branch of the Salvation Army to run the store's first ever toy appeal.

Shoppers were invited to take a gift tag from a Christmas tree in the shop, which carried details of a child’s gender, age and what they would like from Santa.

Shoppers then picked something up while in store and dropped it off with the tag at the customer service desk on their way out.

These will then be collected by Barnardos and the town's Salvation Army branch and given to local families ahead of the big day.

Lynn explained: “We already do a lot of work with Barnardo’s and we wanted to see how else we could help.

“I spoke to Mo Taylor from Barnardo’s and Ian Arthur from Port Glasgow Salvation Army and we decided on a toy appeal.

“We started with 96 gift tags on the tree on the Sunday and by the Thursday we only had around 20 left.

“I have since added others. People have been so generous, both customers and staff, with many taking two tags.

“We only started the drive a week ago and already we have two trolleys full of gifts. I am confident we won’t have any tags left by Christmas.

“I am so delighted it has gone so well. These presents will go to young carers, children with additional support needs and those who don’t have as much as others at a difficult time of year.

“It is lovely to see so many people getting involved and helping to make Christmas special for those less fortunate.”

Ian, corps officer at Port Glasgow salvation Army, said: “Lynn volunteers with us on a Thursday and we were delighted to help with this idea. We are always looking to raise awareness of the work we do and the how we can help locally.

“People have been really generous and now children who maybe otherwise wouldn’t have had a present will.

“We can’t thank everyone enough.”

There are still gift tags on the tree for any shoppers who want to help. People can pop into the store for more details.