SANTA’S gift sack has taken the form of a telephone box in one Forest village. 

The disused phone box in Woolaston has been filled with presents as part of the village effort to get it restored. 

People are being invited to guess just how many prezzies Santa has managed to stuff inside. 

The traditional red box was bought by the village for £1 but it will cost around £2,000 to restore it to its former glory. 

The appeal was kick-started with £500 from Woolaston Parish Council and the restoration group is now half way to the target. 

It is not the first seasonal theme — a cobweb-covered skeleton took up residence over Hallowe’en. 

Sue Anderson, of the restoration group, said: “We want to generate enough funds to start the renovation in the spring and, with the help of volunteers, we hope to be able to complete the project by the end of June in time to open it on the day of Woolaston Carnival.”

Among the ideas voted for by villagers are: a gallery, library, pop-up shop or tourist information point although there have been less serious suggestions such as a village jail, a shower or aquarium. 

Entry forms for the competition are available from the village shop, the Rising Sun pub, the Netherend Inn or by going to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sue-anderson. 

The competition closes at midnight on New Year’s Eve and the prize is a £30 voucher for Amazon.