THIS is the picture that proves Santa's grotto is in Hampshire - and it's thanks to the generosity of people across the South.

This means that nearly 1,000 under-privileged children will be able to enjoy the best Christmas yet.

Nearly 7,000 toys have so far been donated - with youngsters from hundreds of needy families expected to receive up to six gifts each.

The parcels are being delivered across Southampton and the Waterside area in readiness for Christmas Day.

Businesses, schools and churches were asked to hand in toys to a Cancelled Christmas appeal throughout December.

The appeal by local charity Scratch - Southampton City and Region Action to Combat Hardship - received an amazing response, including 800 Beanie Babies.

Now the goodies, which have literally taken over the St John's Centre in St James's Road, Shirley, Southampton, are ready and waiting to be dispatched.

Donations have come from big Southampton companies like Ford, Barclays Bank and Ordnance Survey, together with a host of schools, churches and members of the public.

Scratch founder Chris Davis said: "The Christmas Cancelle' appeal is in its sixth year and each child who receives a gift, gets a package with about six items containing two or three toys, colouring books and a family game."

The charity also runs other hardship initiatives across the city and helped to feed more than 3,200 people and clothe around 1,900 last year.

Chris added: "By members of the public and companies helping to donate toys, we are able to give five or six gifts to some 927 children this year.''