THE OTLEY-BASED organiser of a Christmas hospitals gift appeal is appealing for more donations.

Mel Metcalfe has collected and delivered thousands of presents for children in hospitals or hospices during the festive period over the past few years.

Donations for this year's Yorkshire Children's Hospitals Christmas Gift Appeal have once again been flooding in, but there are still a few holes to plug before the cut-off date of December 19.

Mel, who won Otley's Annual Achievement Award for 2015 in recognition of her fundraising and community help efforts, said: "We are low on teenager gifts, boys' toys and sensory gifts - and also selection packs for the Christmas parties at the children's hospices.

"We are also in need of small gift vouchers as the teenagers of Martin House Children's Hospice love to go on shopping trips with the lovely staff, and to use their own gift cards.

"We would like to thanks all the donors who have supported the appeal so far and all the businesses and schools, and also Mousie Browns in Horsforth.

"But we need help with the final push for donations to make sure no child is left out.

"Each donation makes a beautiful smile on a brave little face at Christmas, and that's priceless."

The appeal, meanwhile, now has more local drop-off points for donations.

In Otley gifts can be handed in at Buttercups in Westgate Arcade, the Kids Emporium on Manor Square, and at Costa Coffee on Kirkgate.

The White Hart in Pool-in-Wharfedale and the Hare and Hounds in Menston, meanwhile, both now have 'giving trees' set up in support of the appeal.

Its next fundraising event will be a children's party at Buttercups from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, December 18.

Tickets, available at the store, cost £6 which includes a disco, two hours of play, food and a visit and gift from Santa.

The appeal also has an entry in this year's Otley Christmas Tree Festival which started this week and runs, at Otley All Saints Parish Church, until 6pm on Saturday, December 10.

Anyone who would like more details can send an e-mail to Mel at zombiemel@sky.com .