Kingston's waste and recycling contractor Veolia is set to host a free toy giveaway tomorrow in a bid to help residents with their Christmas shopping over the festive period.

The event will take place at the company's Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC) in Factory Lane, Croydon, running from 10am - 3.30pm.

The toys, which have been donated across the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) network of Household Reuse and Recycling Centres (HRRCs), have been saved from going to waste and are looking for a new home this Christmas having been checked to ensure they are complete and in safe working condition.

The scheme has been set up to aid the process of Christmas shopping for families during the current cost of living crisis whilst also ensuring it is done sustainably.

Available to all residents who live within Veolia's SLWP (Kingston, Merton, Sutton, Croydon), a proof of address is all that is required to bring on the day to browse the array of gifts that will be on offer.

Scott Edgell, General Manager for Veolia South London, said: "Our toy giveaway is a great way for residents to give pre-loved toys a new lease of life and make someone's Christmas special this year without costing the planet.

"It's always good to recycle but even better to reuse, as we can avoid wasting energy and raw materials used in producing new toys and instead rehome toys that have plenty of life left in them. While we aim to deliver the highest quality collections, street cleansing and HRRC services year-round, we hope that this free giveaway adds that extra bit of support to the communities we serve."

For those residents unable to attend tomorrow, the Community Reuse Shops at Fishers Farm HRRC in Croydon or Kimpton Parkway HRRC in Sutton are open all-year round to help families with last minute shopping with items such as TVs, musical instruments, books and toys are all sold at a reduced cost.

Opening times for each can be found via the Croydon and Sutton Council websites.