The elves have been busy ensuring no children are ignored when Santa comes to call.

Upchurch mum Cia Merrall – together with her sons Ted, five, Kit, three, and her new baby Fin – spent the weekend delivering 100 stockings for youngsters who otherwise might have gone without gifts.

In many cases, their families are facing financial difficulties because of the cost-of-living crisis.

Cia, 36, said: “Each parcel contained a warm fleecy blanket, warm socks and a selection box.

“We asked what was on each child’s list for Santa and ensured that at least one item from their list was in their stockings and that their stockings were personalised to their interests.”

Cia – who coordinates the village’s food bank, Upchurch Support Network – added: “We have also provided 20 families with full Christmas dinner shops containing turkey, beef, gammon, all the trimmings and lots of Christmas treats for the children.”

Over the past year the network has made almost 500 food deliveries to families across the Medway Towns. Its volunteers will be back from January 3.

Cia added: “We’ve had a major increase in requests for both food and stockings so we’ve been working hard to raise more money so we could say ‘yes’ to each family.

“People have been so generous but it has been heart-breaking hearing about the plight of others.

“Most are in work, but with large families they are struggling. Some don’t like to go to a food bank but this is more like being helped by friends in a time of need.”

After spending the first Covid-19 lockdown ensuring the housebound elderly received supplies from the shops, Cia turned to those with young families.

She said: “It has gone full circle. Now the elderly are helping the young. It’s the whole community pulling together.”

The charity previously put out an appeal on social media asking for parents in need to get in touch if they were worried about being able to afford presents for their children this year.