STAFF from a Southampton call centre have been busy collecting Smarties tubes after announcing a year-long fundraising initiative with NCH, the UK's largest children's charity.

Employees from the British Gas call centre in St Mary's chose NCH as their charity of the year partner for 2005-2006.

The fundraising effort has already kicked off with staff buying Smarties tubes at the launch to collect all their spare 20p pieces in.

The Helping Children Shine campaign will help fund projects supporting vulnerable young people and children in local communities across Britain, focusing on the four key areas of NCH - young carers, mental health, disability and adoption and fostering.