CHILDREN in Cookley have responded to a care home's appeal to send letter to residents to keep their spirits up while they are in lockdown.

Westley Court in Austcliffe Lane put out a plea on Facebook last week after closing its doors to members of the public to protect residents from coronavirus - and staff have been overwhelmed by the response.

The home has received more than 30 letters, cards and gifts to date, most of which have been sent by children in the local community.

Deputy manager Sharon Powell said: "We've had a wonderful response - just over 30 letters so far.

"We've had some plaques sent in with words like 'be happy' and flowers on them. One little boy wrote to say it's his birthday soon and that he hopes the residents are okay.

"It was really touching as care staff to watch the residents reading them. We're still getting letters in.

"The residents have been writing back too."

The care home thanked members of the community for responding to its appeal on Facebook, saying: "I would like to thank everyone that as taken time out of there day to write to our residents and for the beautiful gifts that we have been sent in for our residents. They really enjoyed writing back to you all."