CHILDREN at a North Yorkshire school are coming up trumps for troops serving in the Gulf.

Romanby Primary had a sizeable stockpile of items within days of launching an aid appeal, and the school is now asking local businesses if they can help with the cost of postage.

The idea for the appeal came from school governor, Jane Tasker, who is a nurse at the special care baby unit at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital.

"One of my colleagues has a son who is serving in the Iraq conflict and she has been sending out things like sun tan lotion, lip-salve, wet-wipes, boiled sweets and such, things the soldiers just can't get over there but which can be important," said Mrs Tasker.

"I thought there must be lots of lads who have no family to send them things and that with the help of the children we might be able to do something about it."

Mrs Tasker is linking up with former Friarage medic Maj Lorraine Greasley, who is also in the Gulf. The idea is for children to take in as many items as they can to be sent on to Maj Greasley for distribution to the troops.

"I only suggested it last week and the response from the children and their families has been amazing," said Mrs Tasker.

"But now we realise there could be a problem with the cost of sending the parcels and would be grateful if any local business could help us with this."

Head teacher, Jeff Featonby, said: "The response to this appeal is typical of the school. Romanby Primary always does well. Our parents are wonderful at supporting us. Whenever we do an appeal we always get a brilliant response.

"And I thought this might be a good way to bring home to the children what it is really like out there in the Gulf just now."

Mr Featonby backed Mrs Tasker's plea for help with postage; anyone who can help should contact him on 01609 781178.