THE housebuilder currently constructing the Chapel Gate development has been collecting donations for charity.

Barrett Homes has collected more than 25 shoeboxes full of Christmas gifts as part of its backing for Operation Christmas Child.

The items were collected at the sales and marketing suite at the Kingsclere Road site, with the boxes now being distributed worldwide to less fortunate children.

Lynnette St- Quintin, sales and marketing director for Barratt Southern Counties said: “We support many charities throughout the year and while most are local, we feel that bringing a few smiles to children’s faces across the world this Christmas is such an incredibly worthwhile cause.”