Text Santa 2013: The Appeal Countdown begins

Young volunteers in Nottinghamshire raising cash for the Text Santa appeal were joined by ITV News Central presenter Matt Teale.

The event was held at the Morrisons in Gamston this morning.

Young fans were star-struck when Is This the Way to Amarillo singer Tony Christie popped in to a Walsall supermarket for ITV's Text Santa charity bag-pack.

And the youngsters were delighted when the chart-topping singer agreed to take time out from the event to pose for a picture with them.

Chart-topping singer Tony Christie has swapped his mic for plastic bags to lend a hand with the annual Text Santa charity bag-packing event.

He joined ITV News Central presenter Sameena Ali-Khan at Morrisons in Walsall for the event.

Youngsters have donned their festive hats and headed to Morrisons in Gamston, Nottinghamshire, for a charity bag-packing event.

Along with ITV News Central presenter Matt Teale, they are packing bags to help raise cash for the Text Santa appeal.

The bands hoping to get to Christmas Number One with ITV's charity single are playing in Birmingham this evening.

The Big Reunion, made up of bands like Blue and Liberty X, is performing at the LG Arena.

They have recorded their version of I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday for the ITV charity Text Santa.