KEIGHLEY people are being asked to donate – and buy ­– second-hand toys this Christmas.

The British Heart Foundation is urging families to take along unwanted toys to its shop in the Airedale Shopping Centre, and to pick-up ‘pre-loved’ items for presents.

David Roman, sustainability manager at the charity, said the move could help reduce the number of toys that go to landfill in the new year.

“A survey has found that over half of parents say their little ones can get fed-up with new items within just seven days,” he said.

“As a parent, I am all too familiar with the amount of clutter that Christmas can generate, but shopping second-hand and donating as you go could help make space for festive gifts and find new homes for old favourites.

“Now more than ever it’s vital that we identify ways to minimise waste and cut down on buying new items where possible. Second-hand toys are a great way to start and will help keep costs low when doing your Christmas shopping this year!”

The charity says that last year, people who shopped in or donated to its outlets helped it save 74,000 tonnes of goods – including clothes, shoes, toys and books – from landfill.

All the money raised through sales in the shops goes towards research into conditions such as heart attacks, stroke and vascular dementia.