A shoebox appeal yielded more than 1,000 parcels to help needy families in Belarus.

The annual project is run by Lions clubs across the South East and south London as part of a nationwide campaign.

Queenborough Gateway served as a collection point for the boxes containing anything from clothes and shoes to kitchenware, crockery, bikes and lawnmowers.

The goods, which in total weighed about 11 tons, were loaded on to a lorry at the community centre in Rushenden Road last Wednesday.

About 20 Lions members helped stack 1,020 containers which are bound for Gomel, the second largest city in Belarus, where many people still suffer side-effects following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Chris Iles, chairman of the appeal, said: “We collected virtually everything apart from foodstuffs and medical supplies.

“It was a fantastic effort by club members loading and packing the boxes.”

The items are expected to take a week to reach the city.