WITH a little less than two weeks to go, a quirky campaign to spread festive cheer to emergency services professionals has already smashed last year's total.

Currently, the Chocolate Orange Collection has hauled in 432 Terry's chocolate oranges from residents and businesses in Conwy and Denbighshire in its second year.

The campaign, which was started by in 2011 in St Helens by Chris Lamb to commemorate his son Elliot who died in 2010, is organised by Wilko employees Linda Friar of Prestatyn and Denise Dale of Kinmel Bay. Last year, the first collection received 250 chocolate oranges.

Mrs Friar said: "We are hoping to collect 500 this year, so I am excited to be so close to this year's target already.

"The oranges have been donated by family, friends and businesses in our area and will be handed out on Friday, December 13 to our emergency services as a very small gesture of thanks for all their hard work.

"One random act of kindness can lead to so many more, so hopefully we can set an even bigger target next year."

Donations can be made at Wilko Rhyl on Market Street, Baysville Coffee and Grill in Kinmel Bay or at Blooming Gorgeous Florist in Prestatyn.