THE FACES of many children around town, who were facing a bleak Christmas without any presents, will now be lit up with joy after a special delivery by Santa.

A team of legal eagles has been overwhelmed by the generosity of St Helens people with an avalanche of Christmas gifts for local youngsters.

This Christmas, Hattons Solicitors supported St Helens Council’s Christmas Gift Appeal for local children.

The council’s early intervention service appeals to the public every year to donate gifts for needy children and teenagers in the local area, distributing them in the week before Christmas.

Hattons has supported the appeal for the past three years, by actively promoting it to the St Helens community and getting its own staff members involved.

Among the gifts donated were books, cosmetics and toys for all ages.

Other local businesses also joined the appeal with Cafe bocboc in Eccleston giving a free drink to everyone who donated a toy and dropped it off at its shop.

FW Marsh Funeral Directors and Stradone Ltd also decided to donate toys, rather than doing a staff Secret Santa at work.

Bruce Hatton, senior partner at Hattons, said: “I am overwhelmed by the generosity that local people have shown again this year donating hundreds of gifts for local children.

“In tough economic times, it’s sometimes easy to forget those less fortunate, and it’s heartwarming to see so many people actively getting involved, helping to put a smile on a local child’s face.

“We are proud to support such a worthy cause and everyone here at Hattons Solicitors would like to thank those who donated to the cause this Christmas.”