Dozens of gift-laden shoeboxes have been collected in Hackbridge and shipped off around the world for less-fortunate children to open on Christmas Day.

The 36 packages were collected by housebuilder Barratt London from its sales and marketing suite at New Mill Quarter, Hackbridge Road, for "Operation Christmas Child".

Now they have been sent off on their way to various countries across the globe ahead of December 25.

Those 36 are part of the more than 260 shoeboxes which have been collected at other Barratt London offices in the capital being distributed worldwide.

Pam Reardon, sales and marketing director for Barratt London, said: “Thank you to everyone who brought a Christmas shoe box along to New Mill Quarter in the last couple of weeks.

“Hopefully these generous contributions will go a little way to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to children in other parts of the world.”

“We support many charities throughout the year and while most are in London, we feel that bringing a few smiles to children’s faces around the world this Christmas is such an incredibly worthwhile cause.”