An exhibition of photos by Carlisle News and Star photographer Ian Cooper, which capture the suffering of children in Romania, has opened to the public.

The pictures, at Carlisle library, show youngsters who have Aids or who live in street shelters receiving shoeboxes packed with Christmas goodies donated by the paper's readers.

Almost 2,000 shoeboxes were collected in response to the News and Star's Love In A Box appeal.

Photographer Ian and reporter Julie Clayton travelled with the British charity Children In Distress to Romania to deliver the shoeboxes in time for Christmas.

Keith Sutton, editor of the News and Star, said: "We were amazed at the generosity of News and Star readers and their response to our Love In A Box appeal.

"We wanted our readers to have the opportunity to see for themselves how much their shoeboxes meant.

"Many of the children are very ill and living in terrible poverty. Ian's photographs capture the reality of their situation and their joy at receiving such a simple gift."

The exhibition was opened by Carlisle's mayor Ray Knapton and runs until February 3.

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