DONATIONS of shoeboxes from generous people in Worcestershire have been among the first batch to be distributed to underprivileged children in Eastern Europe.

The Samaritan's Purse has sent around 250,000 boxes as part of its annual Operation Christmas Child (OCC) project.

The boxes have been transported on 19 articulated lorries to destinations in Bosnia, Croatia and Romania.

A series of distributions to 11 other countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Bosnia are to follow.

The final one will travel to Russia in early January, when the country's main Christmas celebrations take place.

Schools, churches, community organisations, businesses and members of the public have all donated the colourfully decorated boxes.

They have been filled with festive gifts and toys and practical everyday items such as stationery and clothes.

Pupils at Cherry Orchard Primary school, in Timberdine Close, Worcester, have collected an amazing 349 shoeboxes.

This means the school has now gathered more than 1,000 boxes in just three years of taking part in the OCC project.

"We are still processing shoeboxes for the later distribution trips," said OCC area co-ordinator, Bob James.

"Anyone who wishes to make a contribution should get in touch.

"We are going all out to beat last year's UK and Ireland total of 1.3m shoeboxes, and the local support this year has been fantastic."