HUNDREDS of children will be celebrating a special Christmas, thanks to the kindness of shoppers and Shuttle Times and News readers.

Wyre Forest Business Club was aiming to collect 400 gifts for needy Wyre Forest children with its Christmas Tree Appeal run in conjunction with the newspaper.

But it topped its target by 50, handing out 395 gift tags to shoppers at its stand in Kidderminster's Swan Centre, and a further 55 from the newspaper office in Blackwell Street. Each tag carried the name, age and 'wish list' of a needy child in the area.

Business Club committee member Sandra Wadhams said: "We have been overwhelmed by the response.

"As well as hundreds of gifts we received £100 from Newsquest Midlands, owner of the Shuttle/Times and News, £150 from Adam Carpets and £290 in cash donations.

"The money will be used to buy gift tokens for teenagers who are sometimes difficult to buy presents for."