RESPONSE to this year's Operation Christmas Child has been so great that more volunteers are needed at the Evesham warehouse to check the boxes before they are sent overseas.

The annual campaign, organised nationally by Samaritan's Purse, sends thousands of shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts for deprived children in other countries.

So far 15,000 have been received at the Evesham depot, in Davies Road, and the first lorry load left on Tuesday night for Minsk in Belarus. Schools, churches and local groups have filled boxes and each year produce more and more according to local organiser Bob James.

He said: "The response has been absolutely wonderful, but it does mean we need more help!"

Anyone who wants to help should just turn up at the warehouse between 10am and 4pm and 6.30pm and 9.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturday.