THURROCK Council's chief executive Lyn Carpenter has paid tribute to her staff after concluding the 'Give a Gift' Christmas collection.

And she has invited other authorities to follow Thurrock's caring example.

Workers helped operate a shop at intu Lakeside where shoppers and residents could select to give a present for a wide range of age groups for disadvantaged children in the borough.

Ms Carpenter took to social media to say: "So that is Give a Gift 2019 done, over 2,100 presents for all our Looked After Children who will know on Christmas Day that so many people care about them.

"A massive and heartfelt thank you to you all.

"It is initiatives like Give a Gift make it a privilege to be a public servant.

"As our intu shop closes, we ramp up our Santa Grotto in the Civic Offices to ensure all the wrapping is done in time for the big day.

"Wouldn't it be amazing if all councils with responsibility for Children's Services delivered Give a Gift, just saying....... xx"

Earlier this year the Give a Gift campaign won Best Community and Neighbourhood Initiative at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards.