Pupils of Guard House Primary School were visited by the Co-op Sports for Schools mascot Funky Monkey to mark the launch of the scheme in the Yorkshire region.

The scheme allows schools to collect vouchers from United Co-op stores and exchange them for free sports equipment from the special Sports for Schools catalogue.

The scheme was started in the North West in 1998 in partnership with the English Schools Football Association (ESFA) and has provided over 2,200 schools in the North West and North Midlands with over 67,000 items of sports kit.

Guard House School has already collected 1,000 vouchers and head teacher Sandra Firm said the extra equipment would be used as part of a school council project to improve facilities in the playground.

She said: "The school council is composed of pupils from the school, so the children decide what happens to the vouchers."

A voucher will be issued for every £3 spent in Co-op pharmacies and convenience stores, such as Co-op Late Shops, village stores and petrol stations, and for every £5 spent in Co-op superstores, food markets and Sunwin department stores. Sunwin motor dealerships are also participating.

Children in Keighley have until April 11 to collect vouchers. Schools wishing to receive a pack or register for the scheme can call the Sports for Schools hotline on 0845 330 1282 or visit the web site www.coop.co.uk.

n A bring and buy sale at Guard House school raised £136 to help provide a water well in a drought-stricken area of Africa.

Children from year six -- with learning mentors Cathy Liddle and Sue Hellewell -- staged the event in support of the Blue Peter Waterworks Appeal, which aims to raise £1 million for clean safe water in Tanzania and Uganda.

Families streamed into school when afternoon classes finished to pick up bargains at stalls selling toys, clothes, books, cakes and bric-a-brac.

All stalls were supervised by the pupils, aged 10 and 11, who had made posters and collected goods prior to sale day. Pupil Michelle Foster said: "We really reeled in the cash, and we are very pleased to have helped children in Tanzania and Uganda."