Almost £4,000 has been pledged in just 24 hours by generous donors to help orphaned A-level student Kirsty Oldfield continue her education.

Staff at Salt Grammar School in Baildon, have been "astounded" by the response to Kirsty's plight, which was first reported in the Telegraph & Argus.

The promising student, described as a "role-model pupil", had told her teachers she might be forced to quit school and her dream of becoming a criminologist because she was too poor to carry on.

The heartbreaking decision followed the death of her parents within months of each other.

When she asked for advice she was told that she was only entitled to claim £30 per week on top of her £70 wages or "get pregnant" - something the teenager said she was not prepared to do.

But since her story hit the headlines yesterday, businesses and individuals have thrown Kirsty a lifeline by pledging an amazing £3,800 so far.

Hundreds of calls have flooded into her school with offers of cash donations, many from elderly people touched by Kirsty's tragic situation, a school spokesman said.

Vickie Clayden, administration manager for Salt Grammar, said: "I was not off the phone all day with people phoning up. It has been absolutely astounding.

"We have had members of the public offering £5 or £10 and people who are arranging donations as well. At the moment there is £3,800 pledged but there are also people who have said they would like to send a cheque to help but have not said how much. I have probably got about 20 messages still to answer."

A London law firm, which has not been named, has also offered to pay £3,000 to give Kirsty the chance to carry on her education but the amount has yet to be confirmed.

Miss Clayden said: "It has shown tremendous determination for Kirsty to succeed against the odds. We are so grateful to organisations and individuals who are helping us to make her educational life more secure.

"What is most heart-warming for us is that a lot of pensioners have offered their support."

Kirsty, who lives with her half sister Maggie and Maggie's boyfriend in Windhill, Shipley, has been "overwhelmed" by the interest in her story from across the country.

She was bombarded with interview requests from national newspapers and broadcasters after we revealed her struggle to find the funds to carry on her studies.

Miss Clayden said: "It has totally knocked her sideways. She just wants to get on with her lessons. She is just an everyday teenager. She wants to study, do well, and make the best of a very bad situation."

A Bradford Council spokesman said it was also looking into what help, if any, it could offer Kirsty.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: "It would obviously be completely unacceptable for DWP benefits staff to advise a customer to become pregnant."

Shipley MP Philip Davies has been inundated with e-mails from people across the country wanting to donate money to help Kirsty.

He said: "People obviously want to remain anonymous but I have had many people contact me. It has included people from across the country, and locally.

"The story has touched people and it has got to the stage that kind-hearted people who have not go much money themselves want to help.

"I am exploring a number of options and trust funds to find out where we can get more funding for Kirsty."

Mr Davies also said he had spoken to education minister Ed Balls who had given assurances he would look into Kirsty's situation urgently.

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