The Metropolitan Police in Hillingdon and across London have launched their Christmas appeal to help bring festive cheer to less fortunate families.

Last year over 900 presents were donated by members of the public in Hillingdon last year and were delivered to children in need in the borough.

This year officers are hoping to smash that target and bring gifts to even more youngsters who otherwise might go without.

PC Stuart Kenworthy, who runs the project in Hillingdon, said: “We had 900 last year and we're hoping for more this year.

“From the response so far I believe it will be a better year.”

Supt Colin Wingrove with competition winner Leah Moore

The borough commander for Hillingdon, Superintendent Colin Wingrove, said: “We've got a fantastic community in Hillingdon who are very generous, very supportive.

“I'm really confident we're going to get over 1,000 gifts this year.”

The scheme has also encouraged school children in Hillingdon to get involved by holding a drawing competition to find the perfect illustration to advertise the appeal.

Winner of the competition was nine-year-old Leah Moore from Field End Junior School in Ruislip .

Leah said winning the competition was “really fun.”

She was welcomed to Uxbridge Police Station in Warwick Place on Thursday (November 11) to help officially launch the project in the borough.

To take part, members of the public can visit Hillingdon Police on Facebook, or by visiting Uxbridge station and taking a pledge card from the Christmas tree just inside the front door.

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