Disadvantaged children across the world will receive gifts this Christmas - thanks to the generosity and goodwill of people in St Albans.

For the last three weeks, individuals and groups have been dropping off present-filled shoeboxes at the Regus centre at Victoria Street, which has supported the ‘Operation Christmas Child’ appeal for the second year running.

Run in conjunction with the Samaritan’s Purse charity, the appeal involves filling shoeboxes with small toys, sweets and other gifts to send to children overseas in refugee camps, orphanages, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods.

Richard Morris, CEO of Regus in the UK, said: "We’re thrilled that our local network of Regus centres could help such a worthwhile cause by being collection points again this year. We would like to thank all the local businesses, schools, groups and individuals who brought in shoeboxes and made it a great success."

Since the Operation Christmas Child appeal launched 14 years ago, more than 100 million children in 130 countries around the world have received a Christmas shoebox.