The true spirit of the festive season has not been lost on a seven-year-old from Calne who spent much of his school holidays collecting food for Bath Cats and Dogs Home.

Ben Pritchard, of Magnolia Rise, Calne, has gathered heaps of food to donate to the charity after his mother Shelley posted a video of the youngster asking for help on social media.

Ben took the donations to the home on Monday, December 29, and was taken on a tour to meet some of the animals his work would be helping.

Mrs Pritchard said: “I’m shocked at the reaction; I even had a friend in Weymouth arrange for a relative to bring food.

“We have absolutely heaps of stuff, it’s been quite humbling.

“He’s just thanking everyone but he was talking to me saying we have to do this again, so it’s something he wants to do again.”

As well as collecting food donations, Ben has also been spending cash donations on dog treats for the animals at the centre.

This included the money given to Ben by his father for winning a headteacher’s award at Heddington Primary School.