PUPILS at a school on an Army base have signed up for a club that will enable them to communicate with their parents, while they are on operational duty overseas.

Le Cateau Primary School, in Catterick Garrison, has set up the project, which is known as the "E Bluey Club".

E Blueys are communications, typed into a computer in a similar way to sending a email, but the communication prints out like a letter in the operational area and is delivered to the soldier by hand.

This ensures that, even if the internet is not available, the messages still get through.

They are free to send.

The majority of children at the school are from families with a parent in the military, and staff go to great lengths to enable children to communicate with parents abroad.

The E Bluey Club was set up as part of the school’s breakfast club activities.

Due to its popularity, it has been extended to some lunchtimes and after school sessions.

Margaret Merrall, the school’s deputy headteacher, said: "This is a big part of our overall plan to support children with parents serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Being able to communicate with parents abroad is so important for children.

"The system allows them to send pictures, too."