CUSTOMERS with the Royal Bank of Scotland made a special deposit this Christmas by donating toys to their festive appeal for local children.

This year the toys will go to the Sure Start Centre to ensure that some less fortunate children will have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Stuart Maffitt, manager of the Ormskirk Street branch, said: “We thought it was very important to support a local charity. Most of the staff here are parents so helping local children is a cause close to all our hearts.”

He explained that each customer who donated a toy was entered into a prize draw for a luxury hamper.

Paula Savage, from the customer services department, added: “The hamper was created by the staff who really got into the spirit of things. They felt it was important to support an organisation like Sure Start.”

Tracy Sexton, from St Helens Council, was on hand to help organise the donation and ensure the toys get to the relevant families.

She said: “Every year the appeal gets bigger and bigger and it’s terrific that the customers are getting involved.”