"THESE are shoeboxes that burst with joy."

That's how teacher Julia Burns described the gifts put together by pupils for children in Africa.

Every year children at Wybunbury Delves Primary School, near Nantwich, fill shoeboxes with gifts so those worse off can enjoy Christmas too.

This year is no exception, with more than 100 boxes already packed and wrapped.

Ms Burns said: "We love taking part in this project, we thoroughly enjoy it and the children do too.

"It's all about giving a little something back."

The children include a cuddly toy in every box alongside practical gifts such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, hats, gloves and scarves.

Many children like to include a picture of themselves so the recipient can see who gave the gift.

Pupils at James Brindley Science College, in Tunstall, are also thinking of others this year and are boxing gifts for children around the world as part of Operation Christmas Child.

Teacher Fiona Oakes said: "The children have been amazing, each form group has produced at least four boxes and some were so well filled we had to repack them and create extra boxes."

Glenis Wood, aged 39, an employee at Jumbo Storage, Tunstall, has roped her employer into helping out this Christmas.

Glenis, who is also a volunteer at the Salvation Army shop, in High Street, Tunstall, talked the firm into giving her £250 to spend on gifts to be distributed to children in Tunstall and Chesterton.

Glenis said: "Some of the children would not have a present to open this Christmas if it weren't for kind donations from local businesses and the public."

Other employers have also been doing their bit with Sainsbury's in Stoke acting as a donation point for the 2,015 boxes being sent to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

Employee Karen Eardley said: "The community should be proud, this is their achievement, not ours."