A GROUP of sailors swapped the sea for the classroom yesterday - to help youngsters at a special school in their adopted city.

A party from the destroyer HMS York, led by their captain, Commander Richard Powell, travelled to the Galtres School in their namesake city.

The school, on Bad Bargain Lane, is the crew's sponsored charity and caters for children with special needs.

Although state-funded, seamen from the ship have in the past assisted with the purchase of a hydrotherapy pool and lighting equipment for a relaxation room.

Yesterday they presented a cheque to the school before helping out with jobs around the premises.