People in Dumbarton and the Vale who received unwanted gifts for Christmas are urged to donate them to a charity.

The call has come from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) which says giving away presents is a good way to raise money.

The foundation’s research shows more than half of people surveyed had given away an unwanted Christmas present.

The giveaways included a Scottie dog cookie container, slippers that heat up in the microwave, an indoor fountain and candlewick scissors.

The charity found that more than three-quarters of people feel that Christmas in the UK has become too materialistic, and that just under half agreed that they had “too much stuff”.

In addition, 58 per cent of people had given an unwanted Christmas present either to a charity or to someone else.

Sir John Low, chief executive of CAF, said: “Everyone loves getting presents at Christmas but it’s also a time when we think about making a new start in the new year.

"As we count the pile of presents that we’ve enjoyed receiving from family and friends, we can also think of ways to help those less fortunate.

“Donating items is a great way of raising much-needed funds for a good cause.”