THAT was one Christmas that the family of two-year-old Erin Dear will never forget. Erin had her Christmas presents stolen from under the family tree in the run-up to the big day.

Generous Daily Echo readers stumped up gifts and cash for Erin after her mum Carla Issacs, pictured right, revealed had little cash left to buy replacements.

After the tale was also revealed in a national newspaper, a Milton Keynes man sent the family a £200 cheque.

Peter Templeman, who forwarded the money, said: "It did touch me when I saw the story as it was Christmas after all and we decided we could afford to give them £200."

The presents were taken when thieves broke in through the back door at the family home in Rownhams. Carla, 24, a software engineering student at Southampton Institute, said she had been overwhelmed by the response.

"It's just been incredible. I would like to thank everyone who has come forward with presents and money. It has meant so much to us."