YOUNGSTERS dressed as farmers and gardeners yesterday for their school's annual harvest festival.

The stage at Ainderby Steeple C of E Primary School in Morton on Swale, near Northallerton, was covered in harvest baskets and gardening tools.

The baskets were last night delivered to local retired people and the tools were sent to the Tools With A Mission Appeal, which aims to help people overseas affected by war, famine, earthquakes, storms and floods.

Wearing hats, boots and their scruffiest clothes, the children put on two 30-minute performances, which featured sketches on the themes of gardening and growing.

Children from Scruton Pre-School, which has recently moved to the school's site from Scruton village hall, were also at the festival, along with parents and grandparents.

Headteacher Maureen Webster said: "Parents have been their usual generous selves and I have been impressed by their imagination this year. The children were a joy to see, and it was also a pleasure to welcome the little ones from pre-school."

l The school's out-of-school club, Steeple People, still has vacancies for the half-term break. Activities on offer include a treasure hunt, breadmaking, swimming and scarecrow-making. Children do not have to be pupils at the school to attend.

The week will end with a film, hot-dogs and popcorn on October 28. To join in, call 0771 070 8118.