GENEROUS members of the public are being asked to donate to an annual Christmas appeal to help those who are struggling during the festive season.

The Giving Tree appeal, which is run annually by Culver Square shopping centre, Colchester Business Improvement District, and Colchester Food Bank, will launch on Wednesday, November 16.

A total of £9,000 worth of gifts was donated last year to help children in Colchester who, without the appeal, would have had empty stockings on Christmas Day.

The Giving Tree will be placed in Culver Square shopping centre next to the Fragrance Shop; there, members of the public can choose a gift tag from the tree which states the child's name, age and some of their favourite things.

Once a donor buys an appropriate gift for the child, they wrap it, attach the original tag they collected from the tree, and place it in a donation box which is next to the Giving Tree.

More than 1,000 children are expected to rely on Colchester Foodbank next month, and the service will invite the families who use the service to nominate their children to receive a gift via the appeal.