KIND-HEARTED primary school pupils yesterday handed over money to help children in the developing world learn to read and write.

Staff and children at New Seaham Primary School, in Byron Terrace, Seaham, have raised £280 for Oxfam Unwrapped, by donating the money they would otherwise have spent on Christmas cards.

The money will be used by the charity to help fund a school in the developing world.

A spokesman for the school said: "So far we have raised £280 and it seems to have really taken off.

"We are already onto our second Blue Peter-style candle, which we are using to record the money coming in.

"We've had an assembly with an Oxfam volunteer telling us what it's all about and how the money will be spent."

Kim Tan, Oxfam's campaigns officer for the North-East, said: "The money from New Seaham Primary School will make a real difference.

"Globally, there is a shortage of 2.5 million teachers, which has left 80 million children out of school, the majority of whom are girls.

"Educating children is a great way of lifting communities out of poverty, and building up public services in poor countries is key to making poverty history."