A CARE home group has launched its annual Christmas appeal.

Spellman Care – which runs Springbank, Silsden; Craven Nursing Home, Skipton; Steeton Court and Ghyll Royd, Guiseley – is collecting presents to donate to Airedale Hospital.

Items can be taken along to any of the homes until December 9. The gifts will then be delivered to the hospital the following day.

Presents can be for children or adults. Items should be new and in their original packaging, and not gift-wrapped.

And people are asked to avoid donating anything unduly heavy or large.

Due to allergy risks, chocolates and selection boxes cannot be accepted.

A maximum gift value of £15 is recommended.

Previous appeals have supported causes including Homeless Not Hopeless and the Salvation Army.

A spokesperson for Spellman Care says: "Our Christmas appeal has become a tradition across the group.

"It’s incredibly important to us that we give back to our local communities, especially as one of our core values is kindness.

"Anyone can donate to the appeal. Simply turn up at any of our homes and ring the doorbell."

Following the appeal, staff will be taking part in another Spellman Care festive tradition – an annual Christmas cake competition.