UNDERPRIVILEGED families were given sacks filled with presents to make sure no one missed out on Christmas.

The Blessing Bags scheme was set up by Christian charity Asher Ministries.

Members bought and wrapped bags filled with gifts to give to youngsters in struggling families so they had something to open on Christmas Day.

It is the second year Asher Ministries, which has a base in Station Road, Clacton, has run the scheme.

And more than 40 families signed up to take advantage of the present offer – more than double the number of last year.

Co-founder of the Asher Ministries Clacton branch Eamonn Black said: “It went extremely well and we were inundated with people wanting to take part.

“The smiles on the children’s faces when they saw the bags were fantastic. It made their Christmas."