ATHERTON Parish Church's February magazine reveals a touching story of a gift with a difference from two thoughtful children.

It was sent to me by Sylvia Cook who thought readers would like to share a good story concerning youngsters, instead of reading about attacks on old people and robberies, rapes and other objectionable things going on in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley.

It read: "My grandchildren bought me a present for Christmas, not socks, not a book, not hankies but a bottle of whisky and a small, toy goat.

The card enclosed read: "Dear grandad and grandma for Christmas we have bought you this. We know you are unable to keep a real one in your back yard so we have sent it to a family in Africa for them to look after it for you, Hope this was OK."

Isn't that lovely? If only more of us did the same thing, instead of buying unneeded and unwanted rubbish for family celebrations, the world might become a better place.