A mum from Biggin Hill has spearheaded a Christmas toy appeal for local hospices.

Sharon Millar, 45, is director of Millar Clark Accountancy, based at Biggin Hill airport, and decided to do something different for Christmas this year.

She has set a target of collecting 1,000 new toys in 29 days, to be delivered to children's hospices Demelza in Eltham, and St Christopher's Bromley, based in Orpington.

Calling in support from numerous clients in Biggin Hill and the surrounding area, 17 businesses have agreed to be donation points for presents.

Mrs Millar, a grandmother-to-be has even persuaded her father-in-law to dress up as Santa to deliver the toys, complete with elves.

From Norheads Road in Biggin Hill, she said: "We really wanted to do something within the local community here. We do lots of charity work but never organised a toy appeal before.

"I can imagine Christmas must be a really hard time, I've got a child myself and to imagine going through Christmas with a dying child is something no parent wants to think about.

"I just think it makes such a huge difference to the families with what they're going through. To be able to go in there with Father Christmas and the elves, hopefully it will make a difference."

As well as helping those families in need she wanted to bring the community together.

She added: "The hospices were so grateful when we told them, it helps raise awareness too."

With a Land Rover poised to collect all the goodies, she added: "It may have been a bit ambitious to aim for 1,000! But we are all working in our lunch breaks and after work spreading the word.

"Even if we don't make 1,000 anything is better than nothing."

Santa and his team will be delivering presents on December 17 and 19, but for lists of donation points or more info visit: www.millarclark.com