Organisers of the Gift of Love, an appeal that ensures that hundreds of children of needy families in Paphos will receive a gift bag of presents this Christmas, are just short of their target and are hoping members of the public will come forward to help.

Seventeen young dancers from Paphos will compete against 11 other acts in the final of Greece’s Got Talent on Sunday, and they are appealing to the public to get behind them and cast a vote.

All of the dancers are students at the Thompson School of Dance and Performing Arts in Kissonerga, Paphos and they range in age from seven to 15.

Paphos police are investigating a rape allegation which was reported on Thursday.

A 32-year-old woman told police she was out walking on December 10 when a vehicle with two men inside approached her.

They allegedly told her to get into the car and when she refused forced her to get inside.

Friday will start off cloudy at intervals with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms and the possibility of snow or sleet in the higher Troodos peaks.

A gradual improvement is expected in the afternoon. Temperatures will be 19 C inland and on the coasts and 10 C in the mountains.