CHILDREN across the region have been packing shoeboxes with gifts for children in need across the world, as part of the Operation Christmas Child appeal.

Pupils at St Andrews Church of England First School sent 107 festive boxes to Romania, packed full with gifts such as toiletries, toys, clothing and stationary.

A spokesman for St Andrews said: "They really enjoyed helping the volunteers pack the van as the boxes started their journey from Barnt Green."

Children at Jellybabies Nursery and Pre-School have also been filling boxes for the appeal, which were dropped off by pupils at Longbridge Methodist church to be shipped.

The church collected a record-breaking 364 boxes from the nursery, churchgoers, community groups and residents.

Jellybabies joined Mary Rodgers from Operation Christmas Child to see the processing of the boxes firsthand and sing Christmas carols to volunteers while they sorted the boxes for shipping to the processing centre.

A spokesman for the nursery said: "This was a lovely experience for the children from the first visit from Mary coming into Nursery last month to explain about the shoebox appeal, to the children and parents being actively involved bringing the shoeboxes in and then finally going to the processing centre.

"We would like to thank everyone who brought in shoeboxes this year to support such a fantastic appeal."