BENTS Garden and Home is helping to spread Christmas cheer to children across the country this year.

The Warrington garden centre is a popular location for families at Christmas who visit the centre's famous festive displays.

Bents this year teamed up with Action for Children, a charity that aims to improve the lives of children and young people in the UK.

Warrington Guardian: Bents is a traditional spot for many in Warrington at ChristmasBents is a traditional spot for many in Warrington at Christmas (Image: Mike Boden)

The charity's regional team visited the garden centre on Monday, December 19, to collect donations from Bents that had been made during the festive season.

Included in the donations was £1,000 of toys and treats provided by the garden centre, which is hoped will bring Christmas cheer to children across Warrington and the rest of the region.

As well as donations made by the centre, there was a donation drop-off point in Bents Garden and Home that allowed customers to add to the collection of Christmas donations - this is part of the centre's ongoing partnership with the charity, a partnership that has lasted for a number of years.

At Christmastime, Action for Children aims to spread festive cheer to children with its Secret Santa campaign that promises to bring some happiness to the children who need it most at this time of year.

The charity collected the donations on December 19, and Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols was in attendance as donations were handed over.

Ms Nichols said: "Christmas is a time for charity, for giving and for sharing so it’s great to see so much generosity from our local community. 

"Every donation, big or small, will make a huge difference, and will help bring a little happiness to so many young lives in our local area this Christmas."

Warrington Guardian: The garden centre has teamed up once again to spread Christmas cheer to vulnerable childrenThe garden centre has teamed up once again to spread Christmas cheer to vulnerable children (Image: Newsquest)

Matthew Bent, managing director at Bents Garden and Home, said: "A big thank you to all of our customers and colleagues who have donated gifts. 

"At this time of year and now more than ever we want to help spread kindness to others and are extremely proud to have been able to support Action for Children once again.”

A spokesperson for Action for Children added: "We are so grateful for the generosity of Bents and their customers.

"Because of you, many children will wake up on Christmas morning to a wonderful surprise."