A SCHEME to give disadvantaged people in Worcester a merrier Christmas has got off to a great start.

For the past three years, Christmas boxes, made by schoolchildren and church groups, have been donated to homeless people and the elderly.

But this year, Jean Kennedy, who started the project, said she had been amazed with the response since the Evening News made an appeal on Saturday for residents and businesses to become involved.

"It has been wonderful," said Mrs Kennedy, of Kirkstone Drive, Warndon.

"People are responding really well.

"I am getting phone calls from all over the place - from Bromsgrove and Lower Wick to all areas of Worcester and Kempsey."

The idea is to decorate an empty shoe box with Christmas paper and fill it with items, such as deodorant, soap, hats, gloves, a scarf, socks, mirrors, torches with batteries, or even sweets.

Mrs Kennedy said her aim was to provide every homeless person at Maggs Day Centre and St Paul's Hostel, both in Worcester, with a box.

She added there was also a need to help women and children through the Asha Women's Centre, in London Road and The Women's Refuge.

Local businesses have also been doing their part.

"Blunts Shoes gave me around 100 boxes which I took to Gorse Hill and Elbury Mount primary schools," Mrs Kennedy said.

Joyce Walker, manager of the Lowesmoor store, said it was always happy to help.

"We give out thousands of boxes to schools and charities and church groups. It is much better than destroying or recycling them."