KINDHEARTED folk at a county pub have been digging deep to help needy causes - by providing them with late Christmas presents.

The Nightingale Pub, in Evesham Road, Spetchley, near Worcester, bought a Christmas tree which had branches adorned with labels detailing small presents, such as biscuits and tinned fruit, requested by needy groups around the area.

Visitors then took the labels off the tree and bought the presents, bringing them back to the pub.

Mary Harry, community manager with the Worcester branch of the Salvation Army, visited the pub this week to collect the gifts and distribute them to the various causes.

"People sometimes have collection boxes and such like, but this is a fantastic way of providing some items that can really make the Christmas of the needy," said a Salvation Army spokesman.

"We're very grateful for the help and are pleased to see the true messages of Christmas shining through."