YOUNGSTERS left their school uniform at home on Friday in favour of jeans and sweatshirts to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.

St Andrew's Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, took part in Jeans for Genes Day - a national charity drive.

The school managed to raise £80 for the appeal which will be donated to charities for people with genetic disorders or illnesses.

Headteacher Dave Hutchinson said that the children loved the day, not only because it was a giant fashion show but because it is a special cause.

He said: "They all enjoyed the chance to wear their favourite clothes to school and show their classmates. But the staff, and many of the children, know how important it is to support Jeans for Genes because a former pupil of the school has cystic fibrosis and still has siblings at the school.

"It is especially nice to support a cause when children understand it helps someone they know about."

The school also celebrated its harvest festival for which parents, staff and friends provided a mountain of produce, which was auctioned for £150.

That money will be shared between two nearby elderly people's homes.

Mr Hutchinson added: "It was a wonderful day, both activities were great fun and it is nice to have raised so much money for local nursing homes and a very important, under-supported national campaign."