Dozens of East Hampshire and Waverley children have finished 2024 on a high after receiving a surprise handout from a religious group based in Tilford.

Members of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim community recently handed out gift bags featuring a personalised comic book to 60 children.

The group initially wanted to hand out 20 bags and asked local residents to nominate children who have endured a tough year or deserved greater recognition for academic excellence.

The response was overwhelming with 60 names being put forward – but no-one was singled out with every nominee receiving an end-of-year present.

The books were personalised by MAA UK for Kids while the AMYA UK and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association in Bordon arranged the gift bags.