Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a gift or two, so the people of Portishead are giving some families a helping hand.

Portishead Methodist Church in the town’s High Street has erected a large Christmas tree outside its doors and hanging on it are scores of labels, each one detailing a gift someone would love to receive this Christmas.

The church has teamed up with the local charities to identify families living locally who are currently experiencing financial hardship; they have also teamed up with a number of charities that help others in need around the UK.

A spokesperson from the project said: “Those who know the pleasure of giving may well decide to take one of the labels from the tree and purchase the gift written on it.

"The idea is to then gift wrap it and pop the label on the outside so that we can distribute it in time for Christmas.”

The presents can be delivered to the Beacon Hub café, at the church, Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am.