CHRISTMAS has come early for a group of toddlers after its playgroup was handed a sum of money for new toys.

The group, which meets at Lammack Methodist Church, in Lammack Road, Blackburn, successfully applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council's Community Chest Fund and was given £500 for new toys.

Kiddies can look forward to a future of brand-new gadgets to play with to replace the beaten-up objects, which are due to be thrown out.