A TYNEDALE salon owner is thankful for the community support in her annual Christmas campaign and is amazed to have 'smashed' her previous targets.

For two years, Katy Denton, owner of Sophistikaty’s Hair and Beauty in Prudhoe, has spearheaded the campaign of an 'angel tree' to help children in the North East have something to open this Christmas.

The aim is that each angel placed on a tree has a gender and age of a child in need written on it. After being taken off the tree that person must then buy a suitable gift then returned to the tree for it to be delivered.

Each year, Katy has been determined to smash her target of getting local businesses, schools and members of the public involved and this year she has achieved her goal.

"Last year we had around 50 businesses involved, and we distributed 1,100 angels, this year we have had 83 businesses take part, four local schools and 3,795 angels," Katy said.

"We had to deliver to two different centres due to the size of the donation.

"This is not the end of it as I’ve received more donations this week, so we’ll be doing another delivery."

Katy is amazed with all the support she has had from local schools, companies and members of the public who have helped her achieve her goal of helping as many children as she can during the festive period.

She said: "I am truly overwhelmed and amazingly proud to be able to support Action for Children, it is an incredible charity that has devoted years and years of love and care to help and support children and young people.

"To be able to help and support them support families, children and young people in need is just an incredible feeling.

"We are so grateful and thankful to every single person involved, whether that be donating or supporting our campaign.

"Without the help of everyone involved, this would never have been possible."