An annual campaign to help victims of domestic abuse over Christmas is now open for donations.

West Berkshire Council's Giving Tree campaign, part of the White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women and children, is asking for donations to help those in need.

The council has teamed up with domestic abuse services to provide Christmas gifts for children and adults affected by domestic abuse.

Councillor Heather Codling, West Berkshire’s executive member for children and family services, said: "We never fail to be touched by the generosity of people in West Berkshire.

"Year on year, the number of gifts grow, but sadly so does the number of those in need.

"People often have to leave everything behind when going into a refuge to protect themselves and their families - children may have to leave their toys behind as well as their friends and family.

"The gifts they receive through the Giving Tree gives families something positive at a time of great stress and upheaval.

"It’s easy to take part in this act of kindness which will often be the only gift someone will receive this year."

Alix Simpson, chief executive of Berkshire Women’s Aid, said: "The joy that each and every present will be bringing this Christmas to victims of domestic abuse across West Berkshire cannot possibly be put into words.

"Each year local people go above and beyond anything we could have anticipated giving gift bags filled with clothes, toys and a variety of vouchers for the cinema, hairdressers, restaurants and other stores.

"This has brought such happiness and hope to those who need it, so please take part in the Giving Tree."

People can get involved in the gift of giving online or in person.

All labels will contain anonymised information on the person you will be buying for, for example ‘Girl aged 3-4’ or ‘Female Adult’.

In person, donators can select a label from libraries in Newbury and Theale, or at the council offices in Market Street, Newbury.

Donators can buy a corresponding gift and drop it back to where the label was collected.

The White Ribbon is an internationally recognised symbol to help end men's violence against women and girls.

Since the campaigns introduction 35 years ago in Canada, the white ribbon has since been an important symbol to end gender-based violence.

The symbol is used to represent men taking responsiblity to challenge the issue and be allies to women and girls.

The campaign does this through different grassroots campaigns, as well as training and webinars.