PUPILS and staff spared a thought for others this Christmas by packing more than 50 hampers.

Wolsingham School and Community College made up 55 boxes of festive treats to be distribute to needy people in the district.

Students and staff gave items for the hampers and money raised at a carol service and school disco paid for extra food.

A school spokesman said: "We do a lot of charity work, but it often revolves around children, particularly at Christmas, so they wanted to do something that would reach all sorts of people in the local community."

Lieutenants Barbara and Bernard Snook, from Crook branch of the Salvation Army, collected the boxes and will distribute them to people in the area who need extra support over the festive period.

Lt Snook said: "We are very grateful. A lot of people cannot afford to treat themselves and families at Christmas, but hopefully this will help make it a nice time. Most importantly, it is very touching to know that the school has been thinking about other people at this time of year."