PUPILS at a Darlington school have been collecting items so orphans in Romania can have a happy Christmas.

Head girl Sacha Buckley organised the collection for the shoe box appeal at Hurworth Comprehensive School.

She asked year 7 pupils to bring in toiletries, gifts, toys and other items suitable for children aged 11 and 12-years-old.

She then made up about 30 shoe boxes full of gifts and spent several hours wrapping them ready for distribution.

Each box had to have two pound coins taped to them, to cover transport, and she raised the money by going into the dining room and shaking a bucket.

Teacher Rita Rees said: "This has all been co-ordinated by Sacha and considering she's only 16 she's done really well. The kids really responded to her."

The shoe boxes will be distributed to Romanian orphans for Christmas.