"Today the Northants Telegraph and the Northampton Chronicle and Echo launches its Christmas toy appeal.

It's something we've done for a number of years now - but this year is different.

Nobody needs to be told why, but the fact is we can't run the appeal in the same way as has been done in previous years.

But that doesn't mean we're giving up this Christmas.

"Today the Northamptonshire Newspapers (the Northants Telegraph, the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, and the Daventry Express) launches its Christmas toy appeal.

It's something we've done for a number of years now.

Last year we didn't give up on Christmas and moved online to help the children in most need across the county - and you supported us with your generous donations that helped disadvantaged children have a better Christmas.

So once again we've teamed up with Northamptonshire's Faraway Children's Charity to set up this online fundraising page where you can donate an amount of your choice.

The money you kindly give will then be used by Mother Christmas Jeanette Walsh and Northamptonshires social services team to buy presents and gifts for looked-after children across the whole of the county

The fundraising page will remain open until Christmas but the money will be used to buy the much-need gifts from mid-December.