A tearoom has launched an appeal to collect advent calendars for children in care this Christmas.

The Little Teapot is asking customers to donate calendars to children in the borough that could go without this festive season.

Staff have given them to children at the Caldecott Foundation - a charity which provides residential care for disadvantaged, vulnerable and traumatised children - for the last three years.

This year, owner Jacqui Geen has decided to reach more children by extending the appeal to the public.

As well as collecting for the Caldecott Foundation, the team are asking customers to donate advent calendars to the social services in Ashford.

Russell Geen, who also owns the tearoom in Park Mall said: "Jacqui said she wanted to do something for charity, she came across this idea and saw how much children appreciated it and wanted to carry on doing it.

"After collecting calendars for children at Caldecott for the last few years, we thought about how easy it would be to extend it to other children in care homes.

"We wanted to open it up to customers as last year we found that they wanted to donate."

Kent County Council (KCC) told Jacqui and Russell yesterday that more than 100 children in Ashford are in care.

So far, they have collected 19 calendars.

"We are asking for children's advent calendars, it doesn't have to be expensive.

"If customers would rather give money, we will go and buy as many advent calendars as possible with the money."

The calendars will be delivered to charities and handed to the children by December, 1.

To get involved, take an advent calendar to The Little Teapot in the Park Mall Shopping Centre by Wednesday November, 28.