Students packed 50 boxes full of Christmas presents for children in the Ukraine.

The students at Oxford Tutorial College in King Edward Street spent Friday afternoon wrapping and packing gifts, from toothbrushes to sweets.

The scheme, part of the national Operation Christmas Child campaign, was brought to the school by tutor Jenny Ballam.

Last year she introduced the idea to her students, and this year the whole college got involved.

She said: “It was brilliant, we filled 50 boxes which were taken away today.

“Loads of students got involved and staff were very generous with their donations as well.

“I think it is really important for students to think about other children who may lead very different lives to them, and to feel that they can make a very direct contribution to others.”

Operation Christmas Child provides seasonal gifts to disadvantaged children all over the world.

The charity is very specific about what items can be sent, and the gift boxes packed on Friday included personal hygiene items, hats, gloves, dolls, colouring books, sweets, and stickers.

The charity was established in 1990 in response to children suffering in Romanian orphanages.

It now sends seasonal gifts to disadvantaged children in 15 countries including Uganda, Haiti and Liberia.