HALSTEAD Firefighter Simon Phillips is appealing for donations of Easter eggs which will be given to children in hospitals, hospices and care in Essex including Chelmsford.

This is the third year Simon has collected the chocolate treats and he is hoping will be the biggest year yet.

Simon said: "Last year we had an amazing response and we were able to collect 834 eggs. I have been doing this collection for three years, and have been able to give out a total of 1700 eggs.

"I will be delivering eggs to the children's wards at Colchester, Chelmsford Broomfield, Southend General and Princess Alexandra Hospitals, the Children in Care charity, the Clic Sargent Charity House in London, Harlow Home-Start, Little Havens Hospice and Fair Havens Hospice in Southend".

If anyone would like to help Simon with this great cause, please drop a donation of Easter eggs, however big or small, to a fire station before Monday April 3.