A CHRISTMAS toy appeal has been launched at Runcorn Shopping Centre.

Shoppers are encouraged to buy an extra gift for boys and girls aged up to 16.

The toys will be donated to charities across Runcorn, Widnes and Warrington.

Centre manager Karl Clawley said he was moved to tears when he saw youngsters receive the gifts last year.

He said: “To see the children’s faces was so touching.

“We asked them to come and choose a toy. Their eyes were wide open as they looked.

“We’re only talking of toys worth around £3-£4.

“You’d have thought we had given them a million pounds.

“When I came away, I couldn’t speak for a couple of minutes.”

A shop will be open near Argos as a collection point until Sunday, December 13.

Karl added: “We are asking shoppers to bring along unwrapped toys.

“We often struggle with gifts for older children so we would be grateful for toiletry sets and things for teenage boys and girls.”

The toys are distributed to Halton Council support unit, Halton Brook Children’s Centre, a woman’s refuge, the children’s ward at Warrington Hospital and Warrington Council children’s support.