Belated gifts for youngsters in flood areas

More than 25 families who were evacuated in the early hours of Boxing Day will receive the boxes of LEGO or LEGO duplo.

The free toys will be given to children whose Christmas presents were damaged or perished during the Storm Desmond floods.

Ribble Valley Mayor, Bridget Hilton, said: “The impact of the Boxing Day floods was devastating, with many residents forced to abandon their belongings and flee from their homes overnight.

“Emergencies can have a significant impact on children and this kind gift from the LEGO Group will help youngsters in flood-affected households return to a normal routine by boosting their sense of play.”

LEGO UK spokeswoman, Emma Owen, said: “We are thrilled to be in a position to help communities experiencing challenging times by providing some light relief via our LEGO products for children in flood-affected areas.”

It is estimated that £1million of aid passed through the doors of the Whalley Flood Relief Centre during Christmas week, including furniture, clothing, toiletries and food.

Gillian Darbyshire, president of Whalley Lions, which coordinated the relief effort, said: “I am really proud of our community, who came together to care for each other in our time of need.

“So many people made a huge difference by volunteering their services and donating goods, which helped make this traumatic event more bearable for our residents.”