GIFTS donated by police staff are to be handed out to children who have been victims of sexual assault.

Presents collected from staff across Durham Constabulary force area are to be given to children who have reported sexual assaults to the police.

The delivery has been organised by Julie Newton, who works for the charity Barnados but is based at the Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre, near Durham City, supporting children through the court process.

She said: "I asked staff from Durham Police to donate small gifts so we can make it a brighter Christmas for these very brave children.

"I was really pleased with the response and collected the gifts from police stations around County Durham and Darlington.

"I’m looking forward to meeting the children and their families again when I deliver their gifts face to face. These children are so brave and I wanted to do something to show how proud we are of them at the Meadows."

The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides a sensitive and comprehensive service for both men and women in County Durham and Darlington who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

To contact the service, call 0191-3018554.