PUPILS at a Hampshire school are helping to make Christmas a little brighter for deprived children in Africa and eastern Europe.

Youngsters at Hazel Wood Infant School in Totton are taking part in Operation Christmas Child, organised by the Samaritan’s Purse relief organisation.

Pupils have filled more than 50 shoeboxes with toys, toiletries and other goodies, including pencils and crayons.

A school spokesman said: “We wanted to them to have an opportunity to give a gift to children elsewhere in the world.”