FAMILIES living in emergency temporary accommodation in Blackpool over Christmas received a welcome dose of festive cheer -- in the shape of 40 supermarket trolleys full of goodies!

Helen Kearsley from Blackpool Borough Council's Social Services Department said the kind-hearted donation came courtesy of pupils of Wispers High School and residents of Haslemere in Surrey.

Helen said: "Wispers is a private school for privileged children and they like to have projects to help others. The headmaster, a Mr Henry Beltran, saw a report on a survey which showed people in the North West have poor diets and nutrition and made contact with the council to see what his school could do to help."

Pupils and residents spent a whole day in December in their local Tesco, asking shoppers if they would like to donate one non-perishable item to help those in need -- and ended up getting 40 trolleys worth.

This is the third year that Wispers school has supported homeless families in Blackpool. Audrey Johnston, emergency housing officer for the council, said: "I was delighted when Mr Beltran offered the school's continued support and the team were completely overwhelmed when the van arrived with so many donated goodies for homeless families.

"Having to live in emergency accommodation is very stressful for our families and Christmas can cause additional strain. It has been through Wispers' generosity and hard efforts that Christmas was greeted with more cheer this year."