The Salvation Army will bring Christmas cheer to 350 children this week.

It will deliver toys and games to families across Keighley thanks to the big hearts of local people.

Many Keighley News readers joined in the annual appeal for gifts for babies, children and teenagers.

Salvation Army bosses estimate the number of gifts is down on previous years due to the credit crunch.

But there have still been enough donations to ensure gifts for every disadvantaged child on the church’s list.

Keighley people were able to make donations at Sainsbury’s supermarket or in the Airedale Shopping Centre. Salvation Army spokesman Chris Bown said the church was normally able to give two or three presents to each child.

She said: “I think we’ve done as well as we expected to do — people have been very good as usual.

“We probably haven’t got as many toys as in previous years but I think we’ll manage. The children won’t get as many toys as they usually do. We have at least 350 names on the list, a few more than last year."

Mrs Bown said Sainsbury's — which joined in the appeal for the first time this year — had done particularly well with collections.

Chris said Bradford Cinderella Fund, which helped the appeal every year, had been extra generous this year.

It had donated about £1,000 to buy each family a Christmas morning breakfast and give a selection box to each child. Skipton and Craven Sugarcraft Society had donated decorated Christmas cakes.

People can still donate toys and games today at the Salvation Army’s headquarters in High Street.

Gifts, for children aged from babies to 16, should be new and unwrapped.

l Seventy-five members and guests of Keighley Rotary Club — including neighbouring clubs — enjoyed Christmas lunch, at Steeton Hall, on Monday, and brought along presents for the appeal.

“We were particularly pleased to welcome colleagues and partners from Bradford West, Bingley and Colne Rotary clubs, who all very generously brought gifts as well,” said Keighley president Liz Balding.