Children have helped load boxes of presents on to the world's biggest plane, ready for them to be flown to disadvantaged youngsters.

The boxes, loaded by pupils from Firfields Primary School, Derbyshire, formed part of a consignment of 70,000 being flown to the Ukraine as part of Operation Christmas Child.

Founded 15 years ago, the project provides Christmas presents to orphans and poor families in more than 30 countries across the world.

Each package was loaded onto the Antonov 225, the world's largest aircraft, which was today flying from East Midlands Airport to Kiev.

The cargo plane is larger than the new Airbus A380, the world's biggest passenger plane. This was to be its first commercial flight from the UK.

Schools, churches and organisations across Derbyshire are taking part in Operation Christmas Child and the Derby depot, in Norman House Mews, off Friar Gate, has received more than 6,000 boxes to date.

Operation Christmas Child founder David Cooke said: "These gifts will help children living on the streets and those who are living in poverty and they make a huge difference to youngsters who wouldn't get anything for Christmas otherwise.

"These boxes brighten their lives and show them that someone somewhere really cares about them.

"We get a brilliant response each year from schools and churches right across the country and the children who receive these boxes are always grateful.

"East Midlands Airport has been very generous in letting us fly the plane from here and the boxes being loaded have been delivered by 12 lorries from across the country."

Last year, Operation Christmas Child delivered more than 1.1 million boxes of gifts to 12 countries.

The scheme was launched at Firfield Primary School, in Sawley Road, Breaston, two weeks ago and the pupils have already packed more than 200 boxes for the project.

The school's head teacher, Patrick Sabin, said: "The five children who went to the airport brought their own boxes with them that they'd packed and they were very excited about seeing the plane and loading on the boxes.

"We have already sent 221 boxes to the Derby depot so far this year and this is our sixth or seventh year of being involved in the scheme.

"The boxes are all packed by the children and they contain things like small games, colouring books and toothbrushes.

"The children are all aware that there are other youngsters in the world who aren't as fortunate as them and they all enjoy helping out."