Arrest over 'home alone' sisters

A 29-year-old woman was arrested for neglect after three sisters under the age of 10 were found at home on their own on Christmas Eve.

The children were discovered at a property in the Gorton area in Greater Manchester.

Police telephone operators collected money for clothes and toys for the girls after being told that they had no Christmas presents.

The woman was later released on bail until 11 February.

Donated money

The gifts were wrapped and delivered to a new address where the children had been placed temporarily.

Pam Wild, 50, a call handler for Greater Manchester Police, said: "I just couldn't bear the thought of the children waking up on Christmas morning with no presents, so me and some of the girls had a whip-round and got them some gifts."

Officers also donated money, which was used to buy clothes and toys for the girls.

Mrs Wild added: "It was just something that anybody would have done. I love children and it wasn't their fault that they didn't get any presents."