WEST Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare have launched their annual Christmas appeal as they distribute 300 emergency food bags each week.

The award-winning charity will be collecting food as well as their successful toybank, which supported 653 youngsters last year.

They have also created a reverse advent calendar of donations that can be given over the next month up to December 5.

Clair Coyle, trustee, said: "Currently, we are giving out 300 emergency food bags each week through our distribution centres in Alexandria, Dumbarton and Clydebank.

"As there are at least seven items in each bag, it does not take long for our stocks to dwindle.

"In 2018, we supported more than 9,000 people with food provisions.

"Parents who struggle to buy food find Christmas a very difficult time, so we also have a Christmas Toybank. We are looking for donations of new toys for this in order to be able to distribute these to local children.

"In 2018, we supported 653 local kids with 6-10 new toys/gifts to open on Christmas morning."

The foodshare is looking for donations of toys, gifts, selection boxes, non-perishable food, toiletries and nappies.

They also hope local businesses can contribute or set up their own donation points on their premises.

Donation points include Sainsburys in Drumchapel, Asda in Clydebank, Aurora House, West College Scotland, Keystores, Knowes Housing Association, Dalmuir Barclay Church, The Lovat, The Titan restaurant, Morrisons and Asda in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire Council in Church Street, Citizens Advice Bureau in Dumbarton and Alexandria, Co-op in Alexandria and Balloch, Balloch Library, Antartex Village, Iceland and Boots in Mitchell Way.

The list will be updated as more points sign up and can all be found at the charity's Facebook page by searching for West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare.

Their distribution centres are open at Alexandria CE Centre on Thursdays from 11am to 12.30pm, Concord Centre in Dumbarton on Fridays from 11am to 12.30pm, and The Hub in Clydebank on Fridays from 1pm to 2.30pm.