EMPLOYEES at a building company have ensured Santa can visit some of Dorset’s most deprived children this Christmas.

Staff at Poole-based Greendale Construction have collected more than 450 toys for the Daily Echo’s annual Christmas toy appeal, now in its 17th year.

The company, a chartered builders, has pitched in to help the festive initiative for the second time this year.

Office administrator Anna Selby said: “We’re just happy to help.

“It’s more than double the number we collected last year, which is fantastic.”

The appeal aims to make sure that no child goes without a present on Christmas Day.

However, it has been so successful this year that the social services in Bournemouth have been able to collect additional presents for birthdays.

Victims of domestic abuse and young people in children’s homes will also benefit from the appeal, and presents are now being distributed.

Anna said: “Many of our staff also donated £120 as part of a collection, which meant we could buy even more toys for the appeal.”

Great-grandfather Phil Carey, who organises the appeal each year, said: “It’s just going so well this year. We can’t believe how many presents have been dropped in already.”

Presents can be donated to the Daily Echo offices in Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, and the Dolphin Centre in Poole.

They will also be collected at the Lighthouse in Poole, and Boots stores at the Sovereign Centre in Boscombe, Commercial Road in Bournemouth, the Dolphin Centre, Wimborne Road in Winton and Saxon Square in Christchurch. Around 100 presents will be given to youngsters forced to stay in hospital in Christmas Day through the Amelia-Grace Rainbow Fund, set up following the death of Amelia-Grace Cooper three years ago.

The appeal has been supported by the charity’s patron, actress Kara Tointon.