A CHRISTMAS shoebox appeal is being launched to support families experiencing extreme poverty in Transylvania.

New Life for Romania, run by the New Life Baptist Church in Northallerton, is collecting aid and small Christmas gifts for the families suffering very poor living conditions.

The aid will be delivered to the Transylvanian towns of Aiud and Simeria. The project will also be visiting a hospital in Aiud and delivering goods which have been donated by the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.