KNUTSFORD residents and visitors to the town have been thanked for their generous support for the Knutsford and District Lions Club Christmas Appeal.

The appeal received a £1,510 boost from a street collection held in the town yesterday and Friday.

"I wish to say a very big thank you to all the local people and visitors to the town who donated towards our Christmas Appeal at our street collection," said Peter Willgoose, club vice-president and Christmas Appeal organiser.

"The total raised was up on last year, which is especially pleasing in view of the horrible weather on Saturday afternoon.

"Thank you also to the many people who took the opportunity to drop off their sealed Christmas Appeal envelopes, which produced, in those two days alone, a further £456, much of which is gift aided, plus a great quantity of foreign and defunct currency.

"Further monies from that source have already been received via Lion members, Knutsford Heritage Centre and J.H.Oakes and Son, 6 Parkgate Lane, and people still wishing to donate can continue to hand over their envelopes in that way.

"The monies raised enable the Lions to fund the Christmas Day lunch at the Stanley Centre, for those who would otherwise be alone, and the Senior Citizens Variety Show at the Methodist Church on Saturday, February 2. All surplus monies will be used to help local people in need throughout the year.

"Finally, grateful thanks are due to the many members of Knutsford Hosts and the friends of Lions, who helped at the street collection, and with the delivery of appeal envelopes. We don't know what we would do without them. Merry Christmas Knutsford."