A Maryport trader is helping to collect items for Syrian refugees. 

River Zichem, 48, who runs Little World Foods on Curzon Street, said he was so moved by the plight of refugees that he decided to help. 

He put out a call on social media for donations.

One of the people who answered the appeal was Alison Gill, 49, of Flimby Brow, Flimby.

Alison said: "I, like everyone else, wanted to help but didn't know how."

When she saw River's appeal,  she approached her employers at the Rural Payments Agency in Workington and received permission to collect from her colleagues.

River said he has a huge quantity of goods stored in his shop and the vast bulk of it has come from the agency through Alison's efforts.

They are appealing for people to come forward with donations.

There is a desperate need for men's clothing, including belts.

Warm clothing, hats, gloves and shoes for the coming winter are needed as are bedding, tents, travel bags, duvets, sleeping bags, shoes,  food including things like sugar, coffee, tea, tinned foods as well as pots and pans, toiletries, cleaning goods and thick wooden pallets.

The items will be taken to Ulverston, where a group has been formed to organise shipment to refugee camps in Europe. 

For more information or to make a donation, call into Little World Foods or contact River on the Little World Foods page on social networking website Facebook.