GENEROUS Echo readers have been busy donating top toys, puzzles and games to the Toy Appeal.

The Dorset Echo’s Dorchester office in Antelope Walk has seen lots of readers showing their support for this year’s Christmas Toy Appeal and dropping in a present when they pop in to pick up a paper for their daily dose of news.

The appeal is now in the last few days before the toys are collected in, so make sure you drop off your donations to one of the stores below before it’s too late.

Di Purnell, at the Dorchester office, said that readers were always extremely generous with all the Echo appeals and that this year they had received all sorts of gifts, from puzzles and games to activity packs.

She said: “Any appeal we do our readers are amazing and come up trumps - whether it’s presents or contributions. They are just amazing”

Last year, local businesses helped the appeal raise almost £4,500 which was used to buy toys for underprivileged children across Dorset to open on Christmas Day.

Once all the toys have been bought, the Weymouth Dorset Echo office will be filled with sacks of presents before social workers and carers take them to deliver to underprivileged youngsters.

We are still looking for businesses to help boost the appeal by donating £100 each.

This has been amazingly successful in previous years and has been the main way that the toy appeal has been able to provide so many toys and gifts to needy children. Each donation is gratefully received and all those donating £100 will be featured in the Echo.

To donate £100 call Debbie Hellaby on 01305 830815 or email debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk. For more details on the Toy Appeal, visit dorsetecho.co.uk/ Christmas/toy_appeal

HOW TO DONATE: Donations of toys can be made at of shops and businesses in Weymouth, Portland, Bridport and Dorchester including: Asda, Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis News, Bridport, The Co-op, Easton, Portland, Dorset Echo, Dorchester, Dorset Echo, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, Goulds Garden Centre, Littlemoor, Howleys Toymaster, Weymouth, Howleys Toymaster Lego shop, Weymouth, Howleys Toymaster pre-school shop, Weymouth, Morrisons, Bridport, Morrisons, Weymouth, Sea Life Adventure Park, Weymouth, Tesco, Dorchester, Tesco, Weymouth, Toymaster, Bridport, Toymaster, Dorchester, Value House, Weymouth, WH Smith, Dorchester, WH Smith, Weymouth, Wilko, Weymouth, Daniels Fish and Chips, Littlemoor, Daniels Fish and Chips, Abbotsbury Road, Daniels Fish and Chips, Wyke Regis, Tesco, Portland, Boots, Weymouth, Boots, Dorchester, Fish and Fritz, Weymouth