SOUTHAMPTON people and local church organisations are wishing Happy Christmas to thousands of visiting seamen far from their families and home.

Presents are being distributed to visiting ships in the docks while a team of clergymen prepare to make sure overseas crews do not feel isolated at Christmas.

Each day, representatives from the Mission to Seafarers, the British and International Sailors' Society and the Apostleship of the Sea are visiting vessels in the docks to distribute gifts.

Church congregations and businesses in Southampton have given the presents which include toiletries, stationery and sweets which were all packed and wrapped by volunteers.

Mission to Seafarers chaplain Rev Neville Jacob said some of the most popular gifts were balaclavas, gloves and scarves knitted locally.

"We have an army of supporters in Southampton and the rest of the county who have been busy knitting following an appeal earlier in the year for clothing for seafarers who come from warmer climates,'' said Mr Jacob.

The clergy will visit as many ships as possible on Christ-mas Day and the Mission Centre in Queen's Park Terrace will also be open to seamen on December 25.

* The Mission's carol service will be held tomorrow at 10.30am.