YOUNGSTERS at a Darlington primary school have been working hard to organise a shoe box appeal to send Christmas gifts to children in countries affected by war.

Year six pupils Jennifer Carrmichael, Nathan Thompson, Tammy Theaker and James Feitsch, at Rise Carr Primary School, have organised the appeal with fellow pupil council members.

They are taking part in the Samaritans Purse appeal and Operation Christmas Child, aimed at getting children in this country to provide small parcels for less fortunate youngsters trapped in war zone countries at Christmas.

Year six teacher Margaret Lucas said that the youngsters had written letters to parents explaining about the appeal and had encouraged their classmates to put gifts, sweets and toiletries into shoeboxes.

More than 40 boxes of gifts had been collected at the school and will be taken to a main depot to be sent abroad by the charity.

Mrs Lucas said: "I think they have handled this in a very mature way and I think it's nice that they want to give, as well as receive, at Christmas.

"It is quite an achievement."