THE cry of "school dinners were never like this" was heard at a charity luncheon which brought the mothers of Darlington's Polam Hall schoolgirls back to school.

A flower demonstration by Jill Harbord, of Eggleston Hall, got the event off to a flying start. It was followed by a buffet lunch and a raffle was drawn by the director of St Teresa's Hospice.

The event raised more than £250, which was shared by the school and the hospice.

The junior school headteacher Angela Foster said: "It is wonderful to welcome mums to the school for such a worthwhile cause. We are delighted to have raised such an excellent sum for both the school and St Teresa's Hospice, a local charity which the school has been supporting for many years.

"We are indebted to Jill Harbord and the mums who helped to organise the event, and thank them for all their hard work.