A BROMSGROVE church and school are ready to box up special gifts to put a smile on the faces of children who have fled war zones with their families.

St Andrew's School and St Andrew's Church last year sent 272 shoe boxes filled with toys, hygiene items, stationery and sweets to bring joy to poor children in Kyrgyzstan.

This time they are parcelling up shoe boxes full of goodies as part of the Samaritans' Christmas Child campaign to send thousands of presents to refugees from Syria in camps in Northern Iraq and across Europe.

The organisers are appealing to local knitters and craft fans to make items such as hats, gloves, scarves, hand or finger puppets to go into the shoe boxes.

They are asking for anyone with items to donate to drop into the Barnt Green Parish Centre, behind St Andrew's Church, between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, October 10.

Help is also needed to fill and wrap the boxes and donations can be left in the box in the porch of the church.