Children in war-torn countries were given special Christmas presents thanks to the help of a Potters Bar company.

Regus, in Maple House, High Street, collected thousands of shoeboxes filled with gifts for orphaned children living in slums in Swaziland.

The shoeboxes, packed with gifts by members of the public, businesses, schools and churches, contained everything from sweets and toys to toothbrushes and colourful books.

This is the first year that Regus, which provides office space and stationery, has been involved in the shoebox appeal and nationally, it collected 50,000 presents.

Simon Barrington, executive director of Samaritan’s Purse, the charity which organises the Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal, said: “We would like to thank Regus and all the members of the public who wrapped, packed and brought in their shoeboxes.

“Thanks to them, many thousands of children who otherwise wouldn’t have received any presents this Christmas knew they weren’t forgotten.”