BARNSLEY’S real-life Father Christmas has relaunched his annual toy appeal - and he’s hoping it’ll be bigger and better than ever.

The Barnsley Christmas Toy Appeal was launched in 2020 by town centre barber Tony Batty and Liam Hardcastle as a way to give children across the town something to smile about during the pandemic.

It’s now into its fourth year and Tony admits it’s becoming almost a full-time job - but he’s hoping this year he’ll better last year’s 6,000 toy total.

He told the Chronicle: “It’s getting massive now - it’s just getting bigger and bigger every year.

“We managed to get 6,000 toys last year but we’re hoping to get more this year.

“We normally select 20 different families who are in need of some support and hand deliver the presents but this year it’ll be a little bit different.

“Across the road from my shop is Town End Tap and we’ve got the best Father Christmas you’ve ever seen.

“We’re going to make it into a grotto and have those children there for a real experience.”

Tony says he expects this winter to be tough on families across the town - but Barnsley always shows it’s community spirit.

“It’s going to be a hard year for everyone,” he said.

“But we all pull together in Barnsley.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a £1 toy or a £50 toy - they’re all just as important.

“The hospitals we go to are all so appreciative.

“It’s just nice to put a smile on people’s faces.”