SHOEBOXES packed with gifts donated by individuals, businesses, churches and schools from across the Forest of Dean have been sent to vulnerable children in Belarus, Bosnia, Kyrgyzstan and Libera.

Operation Christmas Child, a project run by the charity Samaritan's Purse, received over 31,300 boxes from across Gloucestershire.

Teams of volunteers in processing centres including Lydney and Mitcheldean worked for many hours collecting, checking and loading the shoeboxes for transportation.

Area co-ordinator Bob James described the response as "quite fantastic".

He said: "Everyone who has donated a shoebox can be absolutely certain that it will have a very positive impact on the child who receives it. These children often receive nothing else at Christmas and many are living in really difficult situations, ranging from street shelters or orphanages to children's homes or hospital."

Operation Christmas Child is now in its 21st year.