CHILDREN were quiet as mice as they practised for a sponsored silence being held today.

Eppleby Pre-school, from Eppleby, near Richmond, is taking part in Macmillan Cancer Relief's Big Hush campaign.

The group is hoping to match the £180 it made last year.

Pre-school leader Gail Smith said: "We had a little practice and the children were very good. On Friday, they will stay quiet for as long as they can, up to a maximum of 30 minutes."

Dee Richardson, Macmillan's area fundraiser, said: "This is the third time the school has taken part in this event. The children are only aged between two and five and for children that age to be quiet for any length of time is fantastic."