More than 1,000 children in need will be treated to a special Christmas gift this year - thanks to generous people helping hit an appeal target.

Chris Bower, of Brigham, launched his annual Christmas Book and Toy Bank a few weeks ago. Items can still be donated.

New books and toys donated at participating shops are taken to charities supporting local children experiencing emotional or financial difficulties who might otherwise have little at Christmas.

This is the 10th year of the scheme. Last year 840 items were collected, Chris set a target of 1,000 gifts this year.

He was delighted to hit the target last week.

"With the amazingly generous support of the people of north Cumbria from Penrith to Maryport and from Carlisle to Cockermouth, Children’s Book and Toy Bank reached its target of collecting 1,000 books and toys for children in the area who might otherwise have very little this Christmas," said Chris.

"The response from Cumbrians has been totally heart warming especially bearing in mind the difficult financial times.

"If world leaders were as generous and giving as our donors then the world would be a happy place."

Books and toys can be donated until Friday, December 15.

"There are still a couple of days to go to make a few more children just that bit happier so it will be exciting to see how much over the target can be achieve," said Chris.

The participating shops are: Cockermouth: The New Book Shop, The Toy Shop, Cockermouth Arts and Crafts; Keswick: Bookends; Carlisle: Bookends and Toysntech; Maryport: The Lake District Coastal Aquarium.

The charities benefitting are: North Lakes Food Bank; Salvation Army Food Bank, Penrith; Carlisle Food Bank; Jigsaw Children’s Hospice, Carlisle; Salvation Army Food Bank, Carlisle.