CHILDREN from a Hartlepool school have recorded a song to raise awareness of the plight of the endangered Thai elephant.

Pupils from Ward Jackson School joined musician Phil Swinburne for the recording at The Studio, in Hartlepool.

The song is to be dubbed on to an animated video, which will be used in schools and at conferences to help the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, in the Hang Chat Lapang province of Thailand.

It aims to provide care for sick, old and disabled elephants by providing free medical treatment.

"I feel they are very peaceful creatures and they are abused by man," said Mr Swinburne.

"The children helped me out with the chorus and I think they loved it because elephants are interesting."

Mr Swinburne is hoping to mix the music this week and it will be part of an animation being produced by animator and animal lover Millie Young, from Brighton.

One of the elephants in care is one-year-old baby Barbar, who fell down a hill and lost the use of his back legs.

He and other elephants are being cared for in the Elephant Hospital.

For more information visit www.changthai.com