The kindness of shoppers and staff at the three Tesco stores in Bury St Edmunds has led to a series of Christmas gifts being collected for patients at the West Suffolk Hospital.

Up to 150 presents were deposited in big bags and collected from the three outlets at St Saviours Interchange, St Andrews Street South and the Lawson Place outlet on the Moreton Hall estate.

The collection started in November and ran over a three-week period and community champion Lynda Osborn paid thanks to the shoppers who collected the gifts.

They ranged from toys for children to home-made jams and games and from perfumes to chocolates.

“A big thanks to the customers who donated and who have been wonderful,” said Lynda.

“We set up the big bags and got them covered in Christmas wrapping paper and we put up a big poster at the front of the main store and also promoted it on social media.

“There was also a trolley placed in the staff rest room so they could also donate.”

The gifts have now been handed over to the My WiSH Charity which will distribute them round the wards.

Sally Daniels, appeal manager, said: “We are overwhelmed with the community’s generosity. To be able to hand out gifts, especially to our elderly patients, and to show them someone is thinking of them at this time of year is especially wonderful and we can’t thank everyone enough for their kindness.”