WEST Somerset people have let their Christmas spirit shine through with a little help from the Free Press.

An appeal earlier this month for more gift-filled shoeboxes for needy youngsters around the world sparked a response that left organisers lost for words.

Bicknoller resident Jean Pennington-Ridge, co-ordinator of the Quantock Deanery's contribution to the Operation Christmas Child appeal run by the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse, contacted the Free Press after donations for the 2009 appeal appeared a little thin on the ground.

But the publicity resulted in a total of 549 boxes being donated, compared to 505 last year.

"We are thrilled and I would like to thank everyone for their splendid effort," said Mrs Pennington-Ridge.

"Thanks must go to the Free Press because it was their article which really encouraged people to make up a box and this certainly boosted the numbers dramatically."

Churches in the area also responded well, as did local schools, with boxes coming from pupils in Minehead, Porlock, Watchet, Crowcombe and Stogumber.

Mrs Pennington-Ridge said she also wanted to thank the Minehead branch of Stead and Simpson and the town's Methodist Church for acting as 'drop-off' points for the boxes.

"Once again, many many thanks to everyone."

The boxes, filled with toiletries and gifts for children aged between two and 16, will soon be winging their way to youngsters living in disadvantaged situations, particularly in Eastern Europe.