THE Wee County Children's Christmas Shop will be up and running once again this year, albeit from its new premises in Alloa.

For the last two years it has been operating on Coalgate, but will switch to Bank Street this time around.

The shop – known for its "take what you need, pay what you can" ethos – is now calling for donations to help those less fortunate celebrate the festive season.

It was set up by Women for Independence Clackmannanshire with a view to ensuring no one would be left behind or forgotten at Christmas.

Previous incarnations of the pop-up shop have helped dozens of Clacks families during the holidays, with any money raised from the enterprise donated to the local foodbanks thereafter.

Susan Fraser, of WFI Clacks, said: "Our group was set up because, like so many things, when you see something that isn't right, then you should do something about it.

"From the most recent figures, 26 per cent of kids in Clacks are in poverty – there are a lot of people who are struggling.

"Everyone should have something for Christmas and all we ask people to put in the tin is what they can afford. We don't even look to be honest.

"We're staffed entirely by volunteers and any money we do make, after we meet our costs, is then split up and donated between the foodbanks.

"So there's no money spent on campaigning or anything like that, and no one gets their ears bent about independence.

"And because it's all for good causes, the donations have been pouring in. Someone paid £20 for a rag doll last time."

In recent years the shop has ended up donating around £1600 to foodbanks, after the festive period.

Anyone looking to make a donation this year can do so by bringing the items to the shop from Tuesday onwards.

It officially opens on Thursday, December 1, and will close up on December 24.

Susan added: "Things turn over in the shop very quickly, but we've had instances of people coming in with bags filled with new toys.

"Donations are welcome throughout and we are open Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm.

"While it is primarily aimed at children, we do have things for adults too. Everything is welcome.

"And anything we have left over is split between the charity shops in Alloa too. There's nothing wasted."

The public are invited along this Thursday at 12noon for the grand opening, with minced pies and (non-alcoholic) mulled wine on offer.

In addition, the Advertiser understands there will be a jolly guest of honour along for the afternoon as well.

Meanwhile, the Wee County Children's Christmas shop is asking for help with their initial running costs and anyone who would like to donate can visit gofundme.com/the-wee-county-christmas-shop