COMMUNITY spirit is alive and well in Haslemere this festive season, with the town food bank’s Christmas gift appeal receiving great support from a number of local businesses.

The Haslemere Bookshop donated more than £1,000 in book tokens, which were distributed to local children.

Haslemere Bookshop owner Ian Rowley said: "We asked customers to make a donation, which we turned into shop tokens. We also added a bit extra to what had been donated.

"We must thank all our customers for their generosity."

The Sports Locker donated vouchers, which were used to buy sports gifts for children.

Sports Locker owner Peter Jones said: "This was really well received by our customers, who very generously donated. We raised £300 and also donated 20 per cent on top.

"As a town we want to support the food bank throughout the year. We don’t want this just to be for Christmas."

Past and Present donated vouchers, which the food bank used to buy children’s gifts.

Past and Present owner Sarah Poland said: "Customers came in and bought a gift voucher. The food bank then bought the gifts they were short of. I gave them a discount and added a few extra bits."

Wizzbits Toys also donated to the Christmas gift appeal.

Wizzbits owner Freya Parles said: "We had two different schemes - people could donate gifts, for which we acted as a collection point, and people could also buy vouchers.

"People were so incredibly generous and donated what they could. We also added 20 per cent to their donations."