Highwood in Dorchester is helping the Echo buy Christmas presents for children facing hardship.

The company, which supplies tractors and farm machinery, will be helping to sow seeds of a different kind this Christmas - giving children happy memories and a positive start to the new year.

The Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal is raising money to buy the gifts, which will be distributed to children who would otherwise have nothing to unwrap on Christmas morning.

Generous businesses such as Highbury have been making one-off donations of £100 to the appeal - every penny of which will go towards bringing some festive joy to the less fortunate.

Steve Baker, parts supervisor at Highwood Agriculture, said: "I've got lots of grandkids myself - I don't like to think there are children out there who won't be unwrapping presents on Christmas day.

"Highwood is pleased to be supporting this important local cause. The Christmas Toy Appeal is a good charity for businesses such as ourselves to get behind, especially at this time of year, as all the money will be staying within the community.

"It's nice to know we have helped people who don't have much."

Debbie Hellaby, Dorset Echo promotions manager, said: "We're incredibly grateful to all those businesses that have come on board so far - the £100 donations are coming in thick and fast now, but we still need more companies to pledge their support to help us beat last year's total of £4,644.52.

"Christmas is only just round the corner, so the race is really on to make it a special year for the many underprivileged children in our community.

"For successful businesses, £100 is a very small amount, but it will make a huge difference to a child on Christmas day.

"As a special 'thank you', firms who donate £100 will be featured in a full page article."

Highwood is a Dorset-based company which sells a range of premium brand agricultural farm, groundcare and horticultural machinery from leading manufacturers.

The firm's depot is based at Millers Close, on the Grove trading Estate in Dorchester, where a team of experienced engineers is on hand to help customers with servicing and repair needs.

For more information contact Maureen Jolliffe on 01305 830811.

Businesses wishing to make a £100 donation should email mjolliffe@newsquest.co.uk