PREPARATIONS for Christmas started a long time ago for two well known Ludlow shopkeepers.

Margaret Edwards and Jean Parker for EJ Poyners in Broad Street have been busy dressing shoe boxes in Christmas paper ready for distribution to less well-off children in other parts of the world.

This will be the 10th time that they been spear heading ‘Operation Christmas Child’ on behalf of the town.

Now they are looking for people to help them to fill the boxes with simple gifts that can include items that we take for granted like toothbrushes, combs, pens and paper and gloves.

“It is brilliant that we have had so much help in the past and we have been overwhelmed by the kindness people show every year,” said Margaret.

The two women want to thank people that have already contributed and local shops that have supplied shoe boxes and wrapping paper.

Anyone with gifts to the boxes should drop them into Poyners in Brad Street.