BRITAIN'S first lady has given her support to a North-East appeal which seeks to make Christmas special for needy families.

Cherie Booth QC, wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair, has left a message of support for The Giving Tree Appeal, in Darlington, on the charity's CommuniGate website.

Communigate is a community website project organised by The Northern Echo, where charities and non-profit-making organisations can set up a web page without charge.

The newspaper is supporting The Giving Tree Appeal, run by Darlington Borough Council's social services department, which provides Christmas gifts for families which could not otherwise afford them.

In her message, Ms Booth says: "The Prime Minister joins with me in wishing good luck to everyone involved in The Giving Tree Appeal 2001."

Appeal organiser Janet Robinson said: "It was a wonderful surprise to find she had left a message, and it is nice to know we have VIPs that visit our site.

"We would encourage more people to leave a greeting in support of the appeal."

The Blairs are no strangers to the CommuniGate sites, because the Prime Minister is president of the Friends of Hardwick group, which is in his Sedgefield constituency and features on the website.

Others who have left messages of support for The Giving Tree Appeal include the deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council, Councillor Bill Dixon, who launched the website.

He says: "Keep giving!"

The appeal collects gifts for disadvantaged people by encouraging Christmas shoppers to buy an extra present to donate to The Giving Tree.

These can be left at collection points including The Northern Echo offices in Priestgate, the Alpha Radio station in Darlington, and Asda stores in Darlington and Spennymoor.

They must be unwrapped, so they can be distributed in time for Christmas by social services to a suitable families.

People can also support the appeal by giving hampers, fundraising, or making cash gifts, or attending the launch night at the Mardi Gras nightclub, on November 30.

Mardi Gras manager John Reid has also left a message on the website, saying: "Let's make it a record breaker this year."

Tickets, costing £2.50 and including a free prize draw, are available from the nightclub, The Northern Echo offices or Janet Robinson on (01325) 346841.

To find out more, log on to The Giving Tree website at www.communigate.co.uk/ne/givingtre