YOU can make Christmas special for a child on the Isle of Wight this year.

The Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal is back again for the sixth year and is collecting gifts for children across the Island.

The appeal, supported by the County Press, aims to collect 2,000 toys to be distributed to children in need.

The toy appeal was founded by husband-and-wife team, Deborah and Daniel Rooke, who used to donate to an appeal in Guildford instead of giving each other Christmas gifts.

Deborah said: "We started the appeal when we first moved to the Island as there wasn't one already here.

"So we asked the council if there was a need, and they said absolutely yes."

Gifts are given to children of all ages, from newborns to 17, and Deborah urged gift-givers to not forget the oldest and the youngest.

"They are the hardest to buy for - most donations usually come in for those aged three to five," she said.

The appeal is looking for new, unwrapped gifts with a suggested value of £10 plus.

Deborah said: "We also encourage people not to give gifts that require other things to work, such as DVDs and games, and if batteries are required if people could include those too."

Once gifts are collected they are wrapped and distributed by the Isle of Wight Council and other organisations, including the Children's Society, Spurgeons, St Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight Foodbank, Homestart, Beaulieu House, YMCA Young Carer's Scheme and the Women's Refuge.

Deborah said: "What's great about this cause is that everyone works together towards one goal."

You can drop toys off at:

Newport - Isle of Wight County Press, Isle of Wight Radio, Morrison's, The Entertainer Toy Shop, Mothercare, Argos and Asda

Lake - Morrison's

Shanklin - Toymaster

Ryde - Tesco, Toymaster and Ryde School

Freshwater - West Wight Sports Centre