EVESHAM'S Christmas shoebox appeal could be in jeopardy if volunteers are unable to find a warehouse for storage.

Organiser Bob James is appealing to local businessmen able to lend the charity a warehouse for the checking and sorting of shoeboxes. The space needs to be at least 6,000sqft, and the charity will cover the business rates of the premises up to three months after they have left.

Mr James said: "We need a warehouse because the one we thought we would be able to borrow has suddenly been let. By this time next month I need to be in a warehouse sorting and checking thousands of boxes for the unfortunate children of Eastern Europe. We will pay the business rates and if the place is standing empty we will save them money.

"Ideally we would like somewhere right in the middle of Evesham because that is where my volunteers are based - the more central the better. I would hate to have to be in a position where we cannot accept boxes because we have no where to put them."

Mr James has been encouraged by the positive response for an appeal to help the children of Beslan, following the terrorist school siege. Samaritans Purse International, the charity behind the shoebox appeal, wants to raise £8,000 for a portable ultrasound machine to treat rape victims of the massacre.

Mr James said: "The appeal is doing quite nicely - I have talked to the sixth form students at Evesham High School with regards to them doing some fundraising. I think the older pupils at Prince Henry's are also looking at doing something. So far we have raised about £2,000 so we are a quarter of the way there."

Anyone able to provide warehouse space for the appeal should contact Mr James on 07980 187909.