A PRIMARY school is hoping to raise cash for its classrooms with a private viewing of a potential Hollywood blockbuster.

Vue Cinema in Hartlepool aims to help the town's West View Primary School raise thousands of pounds with the unique showing today of animated movie Madagascar.

The school has been offered a preview screening of the new film, thanks to Vue Hartlepool and UIP Film Distributors.

It will be a one-off opportunity for people in the area to see the film before its general UK release date, July 15.

Madagascar is an animated family comedy which tells the story of four best friends from New York's Central Park Zoo - a lion (Ben Stiller), a zebra (Chris Rock), a giraffe (David Schwimmer) and a hippo (Jade Pinkett-Smith).

When one of the animals goes missing from their cage, the other three break free to look for him, only to find themselves reunited on a ship en route to the island of Madagascar.

Mark de Quervain, marketing director at Vue, said the company was providing the advance showing for various schools across the country.

He said: "The schools are delighted with this fun and innovative way of raising money and, given its success, it is certainly a programme we will look to extend in the future."

Proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to West View Primary School. Tickets can be bought from the school, in Davison Drive, telephone (01429) 267466.

The film starts at 4.30pm today at the Vue cinema, Hartlepool Marina.