Hundreds of vulnerable families across Oxfordshire will find their Christmas a little easier this year - thanks to a Salvation Army appeal, backed by the Oxford Mail.

Some 250 hampers filled with special Christmas foods have been distributed to families across the area who had been identified by Oxfordshire Social Services as being most in need of the service.

And 1,000 presents for children who might not otherwise have any gifts under the Christmas tree were also collected as part of the appeal and passed out to youngsters in need.

Captain Mark Wolstenholme, of the Salvation Army, co-ordinated the appeal and said he was delighted by the generosity of local people.

He said: "I am really pleased with how people have responded. But there is always more we can do and we will try to meet their needs right until Christmas.

"The present appeal has been really successful and some people are going to have a happier Christmas because of the Oxford Mail appeal."

Most of the food and gifts were donated by generous readers, who dropped off items at the Oxford Mail's offices and at St Michael at the North Gate Church.

The Salvation Army band had also performed carols outside Marks and Spencer, in Queen Street, in a bid to collect additional donations.

Capt Wolstenholme said: "People are very generous to the army and they expect us to use the money to meet the needs of people, that is why we do the appeal.

"With our limited resources, we have touched a lot of people this Christmas time. I couldn't have done it without the Oxford Mail appeal.

"We are now seeing all the fruits of our work and it is fabulous."

The hampers and gifts were passed on to families in a range of different circumstances, some with low or no income, some single parent families and others in vulnerable situations.

The Salvation Army is also holding a special Christmas lunch for homeless people, and anyone else who would otherwise be alone at Christmas, at St Ebbes Centre for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Little Clarendon Street.