JCB's third annual Christmas Toy Appeal is underway.

The initiative aims to provide support for children in Staffordshire and Wrexham this festive season.

The appeal has been running since 2022, with JCB employees donating more than 2,000 gifts to children in the Stoke-on-Trent and Wrexham areas.

All JCB plants across the UK are participating in this initiative, with 15 collection points established for the donation of gifts for youngsters aged up to 17.

JCB's DIGatron monster truck is the focal point of the collection area at the company's World Headquarters in Rocester.

Employees and members of the public have been dropping off their festive donations here.

Max Jeffery, JCB group HR director said: "The way JCB employees embrace this appeal every year is truly heartwarming, and it really does help disadvantaged youngsters enjoy the festive season."

"Over the last two years, our appeal has proved to be an overwhelming success, with a total of more than 2,250 toys donated by our employees and the public at our UK sites."

The 2024 appeal ends on Monday, December 2, when the gifts will be handed over to three charities: the NSPCC, the Stoke-on-Trent Hubb Foundation, and Wrexham-based Salvation Army for distribution.

JCB apprentices Harvey Napier, Laura Wilson, Lilly Smith, and Muqadas Saleem are helping to co-ordinate the appeal.

Harvey, said: "The gifts we collect will help to bring a smile to the faces of local children during the festive period – every donation really does make a positive difference."