UNDERPRIVILEGED children are to have a happier Christmas thanks to the generosity of a Teesside man.

Andrew Mockler, 28, a general production operative at Hygena, arrived at the reception of radio station tfm to hand over his Christmas bonus for the station's Make A Child Smile charity.

Mr Mockler, from Stockton, had not opened his Christmas bonus envelope and so did not know how much money was inside.

He has asked the radio station to keep it confidential.

Breakfast Show presenter Mojo said: "This guy just turned up out of the blue at 8.30am and gave us an envelope containing his entire Christmas bonus. It was unbelievable, but what a wonderful gesture. We chatted to him on air and he is a genuinely nice guy who just wanted to do his bit to help local children who really need a hand."

The charity's Christmas appeal, Make a Child Smile, ensures children in the region do not miss out at Christmas.

Now in its seventh year, the appeal delivers gifts to about 4,000 children from new-born to 17-year-olds. Listeners are asked to buy an extra present when shopping and take it unwrapped to one of the many drop off points.

Mr Mockler said: "When I got my Christmas bonus I decided that there were many children in the area who needed the money more than me."