Charity bosses praised a big-hearted Secret Santa after receiving an anonymous donation of toys worth £88,000.

The anonymous donor handed in almost 6000 dolls, action figures and play gyms to Salvation Army depots in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen using non-branded trucks.

The gifts are the largest donation of toys ever received by the charity in Scotland from one person.

Delighted Major David Burns, divisional director of community services for The Salvation Army in the West of Scotland, said: "We are overwhelmed and truly humbled by this donation of gifts which will make a real difference in someone's life this Christmas.

"We couldn't do the work we do without the generosity of the public and are immensely grateful for the compassion and kindness shown. Donations like these allow us to offer practical support to people who are vulnerable and in need.'

The donor, believed to be a long-term supporter of the Salvation Army, got in touch by email earlier this month asking if the charity needed extra support over the Christmas period, before arranging the generous donation.

The toys, which also include toy hoovers, castles, toy cranes and magic eyeballs, have an average value of £15 each and have now been sent to impoverished households throughout Scotland in time for Christmas.

Major Jim McCluskey, who works in the charity's Forfar branch, said staff couldn't believe their eyes when they travelled to collect the gifts from the Aberdeen depot.

He said: "The gifts came completely out of the blue.

"We are now working with various organisations known to us who will help us allocate the toys."