The decorations are in the shops and in town centres the Christmas lights have been switched on.

And with the big day just a month away thoughts may be turning to writing cards, buying presents and preparing food.

But for some people in our community even these Christmas essentials are a luxury.

Our Show You Care campaign is hoping to change that by making a difference to the lives of elderly people in north Kent who may have no family or few friends and relatives nearby and are facing the prospect of a very quiet Christmas.

We have teamed up with Age Concern to ask our readers to go that extra mile in these tough economic times and buy an extra Christmas gift this year for someone deserving they have never met.

We are looking for non-perishable foods such as biscuits, chocolates, tinned meat and fruit, or donations of new warm clothing such as gloves and scarves.

Or why not try to be a bit different and donate craft items for an elderly person to enjoy, such as wool, knitting needles or jigsaws?

The gifts, which are now being collected by the Messenger, will be distributed via Age Concern's community services to elderly people across Gravesend and Dartford.

Gifts can be dropped off to our office as single items, a carrier bag full of treats or in decorated shoe boxes.

Our office at 7 High Street, Gravesend, is open five days a week, between 9.30am and 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday.

For queries call 01474 564327 or email dartfordmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk