THE race is on to fill shoeboxes with Christmas goodies for children in war-torn and poverty-stricken countries.

Operation Christmas Child has been launched across Wyre Forest to ensure orphans, homeless and disabled youngsters and those affected by war and poverty are sure of some festive cheer.

The project, organised nationally by the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse, is being co-ordinated in Wyre Forest by Lynn Price.

And one school has been quick off the mark, filling more than 35 boxes already.

Windmill CE Middle School in Stourport is among many in the district which annually take up the shoebox challenge.

People are asked to fill a shoebox with suitable items for a boy or girl in an age category.

Typically a box would contain a toy or doll, a puzzle or game, paper and pens, greeting card, toothbrush and paste, soap and flannel, sweets and a hat, scarf and gloves.

Leaflets explaining exactly what to do can be collected from several locations, including the Shuttle/Times & News office in Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, Trinity bookstore at Trinity Methodist Church, Churchfields, Kidder-minster, and all Co-op stores.

People who fill boxes can then drop them off at any Co-op store until November 20, or at the Shuttle/Times & News office in Kidderminster until November 31.

Any groups, schools or organisations collecting several boxes can arrange to drop them off at the charity's temporary warehouse at Unit 17D, Hartlebury Trading Estate, which has been donated by Industrious.

All boxes are checked and sorted ready for shipping to troubled countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, in time for Christmas.

This year two Wyre Forest volunteers will accompany lorries full of shoeboxes to Romania and Serbia to hand them out to youngsters.

Anyone wishing to drop off boxes should contact Mrs Price on 01562 637801 to arrange a convenient time.