A final call has been made by the Reuse Santa campaign as organisers battle to top last year's achievement of distributing 3,000 toys to children across North Yorkshire.

The plea has come from the county's Yorwaste recycling centres. People are asked to take unused or slightly used good quality toys to one of 20 centres throughout North Yorkshire and ask staff for the drop zone.

Organisers are particularly looking for action figures and dolls, games and puzzles suitable for babies up to teenagers, as long as they are in good condition and safe to use.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Good quality toys can be dropped off at recycling centres

The sorted goods are then sent on to charities who arrange to pass them on to families in need. Organisers are hoping to top last year's appeal when more than 3,000 toys were given out.

Sandy Boyle, managing director of Yorwaste, said the campaign would help children in the hardest-hit households financially.

He added: "Another year of rising costs and once again there are lots of families facing economic hardship this Christmas.

"Help bring a smile to a child this Christmas and save a little bit of our planet at the same time."

Darlington and Stockton Times: Reuse Santa drop off zones at recycling centres

Any toys not given to children can be passed on to charities where they can be sold to raise funds.

The scheme is due to end on December 3, so people only have a few last days to donate. Yorwaste said the appeal fits in with its campaign to support the environment by encouraging people to "Reduce, Re-use, Recycle" as well as making Christmas easier for many families.

Donated items are sorted at Yorwaste’s headquarters in Northallerton with this year the town’s Wombles litter-picking group helping to sort through potential presents.

The scheme is coordinated in partnership with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council. 

Yorwaste works with several charities including No Wrong Door who will gift the pre-loved toys and games to children within or on the edge of the care system. Early Help will gift the donations to children and families needing support while Snappy supports children and young people with disabilities. They are also partnering with community groups within City of York Good Place Network, Colburn Community Hub, Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library, British Heart Foundation, the Daisy Chain Project and The Recycle Project CIC to make sure that all donations can be handed out to local children or used to raise money for good causes.