KIND-HEARTED Redditch residents are being urged to donate essential items to help refugees in the Calais "Jungle".

The Calais Collection, organised by refugee action group Bromsgrove & Redditch Welcome Refugees,aims to help migrants by providing clothing, footwear, kitchen items, food, camping gear, bedding and hygiene products.

The monthly collections in Redditch have already seen two van-loads of clothes, toiletries and camping gear make their way to the shores of France via Worcestershire charity 'People In Motion'.

A collection day is being held on Saturday, August 27 between 2 and 5pm, with pick up points at the Central Mosque in Jinnah Road and The Bridge Church in Evesham Road.

Volunteer Alistair Waugh said: "We're keen to play our part in providing basic items for refugees in Calais and we need your help.

"It's a big ask, but we're looking for new underwear; for kids, women and men, toiletries too.

"We're also after decent unwanted clothes, boots and camping gear. There must be loads of people with a surplus camping kettle or gas stove stashed away in the shed. Or perhaps you've got a sleeping bag or blankets you no longer need. Please dig deep."

This summer five Syrian families relocated to Redditch.

There are still more than 7,000 people in The Jungle at Calais, 600 of them unaccompanied children.

The majority of people in The Jungle are from conflict affected countries like Syria, Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan.

A full list of suggested items for donation is available on the Facebook page Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcome Refugees or their website brwr.uk.