CHRISTMAS festivities are beginning early for children at a Worcestershire arts and crafts club.

Messy Monsters, which promotes messy play for the under fives, has just launched its Christmas Card Project and is hoping to raise lots of money for its chosen charity Children with Leukaemia.

Children will be asked to design their own festive picture, which will then be turned into Christmas cards for parents and relatives to buy.

The cards, which will be printed with the child's name, will cost £6 for a pack of 12, and 12p from every pack will be donated to the charity. Group co-ordinator Shirley Evans said: "The project was so successful in other Messy Monster classes in 2006 that we decided to do the same in our local classes this year."

Managing director Leah Robins said: "This year we've decided to donate money from the cards to Children with Leukaemia. It's a charity close to our hearts as sadly it's affected some of our franchisees and their families."

The children will be producing their artwork in classes all this week at the club, which runs sessions in Worcester and Droitwich. To take part, contact Messy Monsters on 01905 724282.