PRIMARY school pupils stayed silent for 15 minutes to help a cancer charity.

The Macmillan Cancer charity is a cause close to the hearts of children and staff at St John's Primary School, in Shildon, because it came to the aid of a teacher who lost her fight against the disease.

A "friendship" bench was placed in the school this week in memory of 46-year-old Jackie Colledge, who died last year.

Specialist support assistant Kath Bennett said that Mrs Colledge would have been proud of the youngsters for their efforts and said the bench would be used by the children during their lunchtimes and breaktimes.

She said: "It was blessed by Father Raymond Cuthbertson from St John's Church, in the town, at a special remembrance service on Thursday.

"She would have been so proud of the children.''

Specialist support assistant Wendy Marchant organised the sponsored silence yesterday, which was part of the Macmillan Cancer Big Hush day.

She said: "We wanted to do this for Jackie because they helped her get a stair lift in her home when she was ill.

"It was arranged at short notice but the parents and the children have been really supportive. We have raised around £200 already and more money is coming in.''

Infants sat silently in the school hall for seven minutes while juniors lasted 15 minutes before taking part in Big Hush activities.

Mrs Marchant said: "They have been superb. I am really proud of them all.''