A Melksham coffee shop helped to collect more than a hundred Christmas presents for vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

The new Starbucks outlet in Commerce Way invited customers to pick a card off their Christmas tree and donate a gift for the child whose gender and age appeared on it.

The presents were then wrapped and delivered to local families supported by children’s charity Barnardo’s.

A spokesman for the franchise holder, the Magic Bean Company, said: “This was our first Christmas collection for Barnardo’s in Wiltshire and we were delighted by the response from our customers.”

Together with their stores in Swindon, the team received more than a hundred presents. Melksham gifts included toys, books, puzzles, vouchers, chocolates, teddies and toiletries.

Barnardo’s regional relationships manager Julie Kemp said: “We’re very grateful for this wonderful support from Magic Bean and their Starbucks staff.

“It was heart-warming to see so many people supporting the appeal and taking the time to choose such thoughtful gifts.”

For further information on fundraising for Barnardo’s, or to arrange your own Christmas collection next year, call Julie on 07933 501175 or email julie.kemp@barnardos.org.uk

Last year Barnardo’s supported more than 300,000 children, young people, parents and carers across the UK.

This includes work with young carers, care-leavers, children affected by child sexual exploitation and abuse, and support for fostering and adoption.

For more information, visit www.barnardos.org.uk