PUPILS at Haworth Primary School have sent off more than two dozen gift-filled shoe boxes to help children in need across the globe.

They took part in the latest Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child scheme.

PE teacher Sue Roberts, who had the idea of getting the children involved with the project, said they collected, bought and donated a variety of small presents intended for recipients in war torn countries such as Syria.

Pupils also wrapped up each of the 25 shoe boxes in suitably festive paper before they were dispatched to the nearest Shoe Zone shop for onward collection and distribution.

Mrs Roberts said: "The children filled the boxes with presents such as cleaning items like toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste, little toys and smaller items of clothing like woolly hats and gloves.

"They could choose whether to fill a box for a boy or a girl, and what age group their box was meant for.

"This was a voluntary activity which they did at home with their parents, but we also held assemblies to inform the pupils about children in other parts of the world who are less well off.

"I'm very pleased with how many boxes we filled considering this was our first time. Hopefully we can do it again in future and send off even more boxes."