A TOY shop may have shelves full of the perfect children’s gifts but it is hoping its Echo Christmas Toy Appeal collection bin will fill up with just as many.

Toymaster, in South Street, Dorchester, says it is overwhelmed by the generosity shown by customers every year.

Sales assistant Becky Wilson said: “We’ve only had the bin in store for a little while and already the excitement is growing.

“We’ve already had some donations and customers often buy a little extra something along with their shopping to go in the collection bin.

“It’s nice that as well as treating their own children at Christmas they are helping others, too.

“We have been a part of this appeal for years and our customers are very good at donating to it.

“Games, puzzles and action figures are probably the most popular choice of donation.”

Now in its 12th year, the Echo Christmas Toy Appeal has given toys to hundreds of needy children across Dorset.

This year we are hoping to help just as many have a merry Christmas and are appealing to businesses across the county to donate £100.

This will help to top up the funds raised and ensure that every child who has signed up receives a present.

Toy collection bins are now placed in a number of locations across Dorset ready for donations of toys, games and arts and crafts materials.

The Dorset Echo on the Granby Industrial Estate and the Echo Dorchester office in Antelope Walk are also accepting donations.

The Toy Appeal is part of the Echo’s Give Back This Christmas campaign in which the paper will highlight all good deeds and festive spirit over the next month.

Becky added: “The Toy Appeal is a very worthy cause.

“At this time of year everyone should think about others rather than just about themselves.

“I always put something in the bin because it’s nice to help someone less fortunate than you have a merry Christmas.”

Please only donate new, unwrapped gifts and please no cuddly toys – we get more than we can cope with.