PUPILS from Layfield Primary School in Yarm have been doing their bit to help people in the community.

The children, aged between three and 11, held a Harvest Collection Day which gave them all the opportunity to bring food into school to donate to the Stockton branch of the Salvation Army.

Hayley Lomas, personal social health education and citizenship leader, said: “We strongly believe in supporting our community and arrange several events throughout the year to support local groups.

"Food Banks operate all year round and help to provide for people in a crisis. At harvest time, when we are thinking about food, having a collection is a great way to teach our pupils about the importance of sharing what we have with others who are in need.”

Majors Keith and Rosemarie Williams from the Salvation Army led a special Harvest Assembly on Friday, October 3 where they received the children’s offerings.

Layfield Primary, built in 1982 to serve the area to the west of the town, was rated 'good' by Ofsted earlier this year.

Harvest festivals in various forms date back to pagan times and farmers in Britain were still holding non-religious 'thanksgiving' meals into the 20th Century.

However, the modern British tradition of celebrating harvests in churches only began in 1843 when the Reverend Robert Hawker invited parishioners to a special thanksgiving service at his church at Morwenstow in Cornwall.