ALMOST 300 shoeboxes full of presents will be sent off to Azerbaijan to help underprivileged children thanks to generous shoppers and schools.

Asda's store in Spennymoor was a drop-off point for The Samaritans' Purse annual Shoebox Appeal, and hundreds of boxes packed with gifts were given to the customer service desk. The store yesterday handed the boxes over to the appeal, where they will be sorted and then sent to Azerbaijan.

Event co-ordinator Jane Warren said that the response from the public, and local primary schools such as Tudhoe Grange, Byers Green and North Park, had been fantastic.

She said: "An amazing 292 shoe boxes were handed in.

"We would like to say a big thank-you to everyone, including customers and colleagues in the store."

Asda is continuing to help children from poor backgrounds enjoy Christmas by collecting toys for the Giving Tree Appeal.

Customers can donate toys until December 16 in the store's foyer.