Surplus donations from the Salvation Army's Christmas appeal have been donated to a Deal mum's homeless campaign.

With the Christian church and charity's base in West Street undergoing work, it has been unable to store the number of generous gifts given by the public.

Instead they've been passed on to Jaymie Dunster of Downs Road, who's running her fifth annual shoebox appeal Give a Little Love, helping people living on the streets.

She collects unisex boxes containing items such as hats, gloves, scarves, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, chocolate and other edible goods as well as treats for dogs such as biscuits and chews.

The items are then personally handed out at the Catching Lives homeless shelter in Canterbury on Christmas Eve. This year, the mum of one is also working in conjunction with Porchlight.

Miss Dunster said: "I have been given a generous amount from the Salvation Army - about 12 large boxes!

"I’m hoping it's going to be our best year for donations.

"The boxes are always so gratefully received and I really am truly grateful."

More than 20 boxes have been donated by Mercury readers and the campaign continues to run for another week.

Other outlets in the town are also collecting goods. They are Black Diamondz in Stanhope Road, Cuts Both Ways in Mill Hill, The Hair Gallery in Church Path and Your Move in Deal High Street.

Gifts should be presented in a wrapped box, with the lid separate. They must be handed in strictly before Thursday, December 20.

The Bowling Green pub in Deal has also pledged it support to the cause. A raffle will be held on its re-opening night on Friday with all money raised going to Catching Lives and Porchlight.