CHILDREN in Wharfedale and Aireborough are being asked to carve a heart into their pumpkins this Halloween.

World Vision hopes people will take up the challenge to send a message of hope to the 1.5 million Syrian children who have been traumatised by war, hunger, disease and displacement.

The international children’s charity wants children to share photographs of their October 31 creations by posting them onto its Facebook page at facebook.com/worldvisionuk.

Virtual pumpkins with a heart can also be created at anightofhopeworldvision.org.uk and the images will be shown to Syrian children to show they haven’t been forgotten.

World Vision UK’s chief executive officer, Justin Byworth, said: “These children have lived with the most horrific forms of conflict.

“A Night of Hope shows them we haven’t forgotten they are still suffering.”

Money can also be donated — visit worldvision.org.uk.