KIND-HEARTED children at Reid Street School, in Darlington, have donated a table laden with food and treats to help people who are in debt over the Christmas period.

The food has been given to the charity Christians Against Poverty via the King's Church, which has a new base on Whessoe Road.

The church is packaging the donations as hampers and will give them to those who are in so much debt, they may not be able to afford to buy food.

The school also raised £112 at its Christingle service, which will be used to buy Christmas present vouchers. A member of staff donated a further £100.

Headteacher Paul Rhatigan said: "We were delighted to be able to help such a worthy charity that works so hard in the community."

Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "The children and their families have done really well to collect donations for the hampers.

"I am sure their kindness will help many people in the borough this Christmas."

Chris Reeves, an elder at the church, said the school had been excellent and also thanked Simply Thank You, in Morton Park, which had donated wrapping for the hampers.