A SCHEME to give Christmas a little extra sparkle for needy children across Wyre Forest is taking on a new look this year.

The Shuttle/Times & News is teaming up with Wyre Forest Business Club to help light up the faces of youngsters who would otherwise receive little at Christmas.

In the last six years the Christmas Tree Appeal has collected gifts worth more than £20,000 for thousands of Wyre Forest children.

The scheme has been run with Wyre Forest Junior Chamber since its inception, but the business club has stepped in to make sure it keeps going after the chamber folded.

A business club spokesman said: "We are delighted to be involved with such a worthy cause and look forward to a successful year.

"Our members all run their businesses locally and we feel it is important to support the local community."

The club, which represents more than 100 businesses, will be providing the manpower to run the scheme.

The appeal will also be based at a new venue, switching from the Rowland Hill shopping centre to the Swan Centre.

It will be launched to coincide with the switch-on of Kidderminster's Christmas lights on Saturday, November 24.

Shoppers are asked to collect one or more gift tags from the tree and then return them with a present attached.

The tags bear the name age of the child and offers an idea for a suitable present.

The stall in the Swan Centre will be manned between 10am and 4pm on four Saturdays - November 24, December 1, 8 and 15 - and tags are also available from the Shuttle/Times & News office in Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, on weekdays.

The presents will be delivered to children supported by Kidderminster's Hansel & Gretel Family Support Unit and Social Services in time for Christmas.