A children's activity and play centre has won a competition to become a shopping centre’s charity partner for 2016.

Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre, in Ravenswood Road, secured first place in an online poll by The Mall Walthamstow to find a charity for its 2016 Mall Cares campaign.

The vote was hotly contested, with the centre beating strong competition from charities such as Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre, Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter, Eat or Heat, and Goodmayes Hospital Radio.

The winner of the competition will work with The Mall to raise money throughout the year with a series of events and fundraising activities.

In addition, all four runner-up charities will receive a donation of £100 each.

Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre is an educational charity which provides babies and children under the age of five with a stimulating and creative learning environment, through structured play sessions, as well as offering toys for play and learning for parents and carers to use at home.

Helen Crockford, Centre Manager at Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre, said “This is a fantastic opportunity for us, and we are absolutely thrilled and excited to be working with The Mall.

"We’re grateful to everyone who voted for us and helped us to win.”

To donate to the toy library, visit www.walthamstowtoylibrary.org or find them on Twitter and Facebook.