A MASSIVE £5,001 was raised by Kidderminster and District Lions' annual Father Christmas collection.

The hard-working charity group held street collections in Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport.

And volunteers brought extra Christmas cheer to Stourport and Kidderminster folk with house-to-house collections.

Lions president Linda Cross was delighted but said the 21-strong group needed more members .

She said: "I would like to thank the people of Wyre Forest and visitors to the area for their very generous help during our Christmas collections.

"Money collected will be used to support the needs of the local community, including the provision of holidays for disadvantaged families with young children."

Money raised in the area was: Bewdley town, £338.79, Kidderminster town £493.40, Stourport town £735.61, Stourport areas: Windermere Way, £483.27, Bewdley Road, £214.79, Burlish, £208.36, Walshes Estate and Areley Kings, £527.37, Power Station estates, £172.09.

Kidderminster areas: Woodland Avenue, £107.80, Offmore Farm, £281.62, Marlpool, £242.84, Land Oak and Greenhill, £314.60, Ferndale, £230.97, Sutton Park, £328.35, Habberley, £321.17.

The Lions also delivered food parcels to more than 140 old people and families with young children after a successful collection run in conjunction with the Shuttle/Times and News.

Anyone wishing to join the Lions should call 01299 825230.