A SERVICE was held to dedicate more than 3,000 Operation Christmas Child gift boxes in Witney.

Residents brought their filled boxes to the Methodist Church, in High Street, for the service on Monday.

The appeal’s local organiser, Ann Worrall, said: “It’s such a lovely thing to be part of.

“We find it so humbling when you look at what people have done for children that they don’t know.

“You open them and you see the amount of care that has gone into choosing toys and gifts.”

Volunteer Andrea Drowley said: “All these people in our community have given their gifts and services free to help the appeal.”