All things bright and bootiful... PRIMARY PUPILS PUT THE BOOT IN AND HELP OUT STRANGERS IN AFRICA.

Byline: NICOLA JUNCAR

PRIMARY pupils gave it some welly to help youngsters thousands of miles away.

Pupils at Ravensworth Terrace Primary in Birtley wore brightly-coloured wellies to lessons in aid of Give Poverty The Boot.

The campaign aims to raise money and awareness for young people who live in disadvantaged African countries.

The event coincided with the school's Harvest Festival and follows on from weeks of fundraising.

Headteacher Jean Simpson said: "We originally asked the children to bring in small bits of change so we could fill one Wellington boot.

"But they kept bringing in their coins and we managed to fill three boots, in the end."

As well as wearing their wellies, the children, together with their parents, took part in a range of welly-themed activities. These included guess the weight of the welly, "10-welly" bowling and flower arranging - in a welly.

Mrs Simpson said: "We started fundraising in the second week of term and the children have also been learning about African culture.

"The children have been finding out about the difficulties some people encounter."

All 192 pupils, from reception to Year 6, were involved.

CAPTION(S):

FUNDRAISING IS AFOOT: Lauren Jaye, 10, helps out with the charity push BLOOMING GREAT: Pupils with their flower wellies, which they designed with Joanne's florist in Birtley WELL, WELL: Bradley Ririe, Rebecca Hadley, Liam Jackson and Rebecca Mallaburn all sport their Wellington boots for school FLOWER POWER: Andrew Richardson with his flower wellies