THE Salvation Army is calling on people to help make Christmas better for the most vulnerable people in the county.

It is asking for a "final push" to reach the target in its "Operation Christmas" appeal. It says more good quality gifts, toys and food are needed to give struggling families in Oxfordshire a little extra on Christmas Day.

Captain Mark Wolstenholme said: "It would be great to have a thousand Christmas presents and I don't think we are quite there yet but we have a few more days."

The organisation is aiming to distribute as many presents as possible to families identified by Oxfordshire Social Services and other agencies which work with children in the city.

A total of 250 Christmas hampers, containing food for the traditional Christmas meal, are also being put together thanks to the generosity of Oxford residents.

The hampers will also be distributed to needy families.

Capt Wolstenholme said: "There's always families on lower income and no income, and these people are really hit at Christmas time when there is a lot of pressure to buy presents and that sort of thing.

"In some of the families the dad is away, either in prison or perhaps working away, and single-parent families are especially vulnerable at Christmas time.

"That is the kind of family we will be helping. These people will have a need and we try to meet that."

Capt Wolstenholme said he had been impressed by people's generosity already, having collected five bags full of presents and toys from the drop-off point at St Michael at the Northgate Church, in Cornmarket Street, Oxford.

Newsquest Oxfordshire has also been involved in the appeal, collecting dried food and gifts to be distributed by the Salvation Army.

Capt Wolstenholme said: "There are so many good causes going round - and people do have their favourites - but it would be fantastic if we could just have a final push.

"Whatever we are short of, the Salvation Army will buy, to make sure all those families have a nice Christmas."

The Salvation Army is also holding a special Christmas lunch for homeless people and anyone else who would otherwise be alone at Christmas.

It is expected 70 to 80 people will attend this year's lunch.

But Capt Wolstenholme said there was still plenty of room for anyone who wanted to come.

Items for the appeal can be dropped off at St Michael at the Northgate today or on Monday.