Caring residents at sheltered housing schemes in Filton have donated a collection of gifts for an appeal to help the poor and needy in eastern Europe, India and Pakistan.

Pensioners living in eight Merlin Housing Society schemes banded together to donate presents for Blythswood Care's annual Christmas shoebox appeal

Every year the charity sends more than 100,000 shoeboxes to impoverished children and adults. This year, seven of the boxes will be from Merlin residents.

Support co-ordinator Jennie Linham said: "It was a wonderful response from residents.

"Lots of them donated items and then nine residents spent a morning packing up the presents and wrapping the boxes.

"They also donated lots of other items which we couldn't fit in the boxes, which we've sent off to the charity."