PUPILS in Billericay have started their Christmas shopping early by filling shoeboxes with presents to send to disadvantaged children.

Forty Year 7 pupils from Mayflower High School filled the boxes with toys, pens, toiletries, gloves and scarves.

The scheme, known as Operation Christ-mas Child, is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project and is run by UK-based charity, Samar-itan’s Purse.

Christine Ford, who teaches modern languages at the school and organised the project, said: “These shoeboxes could be the first Christmas present these children have ever received.

“We are sure the children who receive them will feel as much joy opening them as the pupils did preparing them.”

The youngsters were able to chose whether to pack presents for a boy or a girl, and also pick the age of the child they wanted to send their box to.

They then filled it with a range of gifts of their choice. The school said the boxes will be collected and sent in time for Christmas.

Last year, the scheme sent 1.3 million shoeboxes to children in hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods acr-oss the world.