THE only sound in a school dining room tomorrow will be the clatter of knives and forks as youngsters try not to utter a word - for charity.

The usual lunchtime chatter will be silenced for at least ten minutes as children at Ingleby Arncliffe Primary School take part in the Hold Your Tongue Challenge.

The event has set tongues wagging among the 60 school pupils and staff, encouraging friends and family to make donations to Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The money raised will go towards funding Macmillan services in the Northallerton area.

Headteacher Gwineth Gulliman said: "We try to raise money for charities that we feel are relevant to ourselves. With the funds going towards the Northallerton appeal we feel it is closer to people's hearts.

"The children are as young as four, but I think they will all manage to be quiet for at least ten minutes.

"It helps to do it over lunch because they are pre-occupied with eating."

The charity's fundraising manager, Wilma Burniston, said: "It is wonderful the whole school is going silent. I am sure it will create a very special and peaceful atmosphere that is very different to the usual lunchtime noise."