CHILDREN went behind the scenes of a charity shop to find out how it works.

Pupils from Vane Road Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, visited the Solan Connor Fawcett Cancer Trust boutique, in Spennymoor, this week.

Charity founder Mark Solan had previously visited the school to talk about his work and children were keen to see it in action.

They had collected items to donate and enjoyed stacking shelves, serving customers and packing bags.

Teacher Marie Rome, who runs the school's community group, said children, who held a bake sale in December in aid of the Trust, realised how important the shop's takings are to help cancer patients and their families. They also saw the charity's treatment room and wig bank which boost cancer patients' self-esteem.

She said: "It was heartwarming for the children to meet people suffering from cancer. They felt that the money they had helped raise had a real purpose."