YOUNGSTERS at a village school put helping others at the forefront of their minds when they organised their own stalls to raise money for their favourite charities.

The children at Holy Trinity in Great Cheverell, near Devizes, first had to pitch for the opportunity to have one of the 12 stalls available.

Headteacher Mercedes Henning said: "The teams had to tell us about their chosen charity, the activities they would like to run on the stall, how they will organise the setting up and taking down of the stall and how they will attract plenty of customers.

"They learn a lot about team work, treating their customers with respect and courtesy, about managing their merchandise and managing the money. It helps them to become young entrepreneurs."

Among the charities chosen this year were Julia’s House, Cancer Research, RSPCA, WWF, Help for Heroes, Age Concern, Guide Dogs and British Heart Foundation.

Mrs Henning said: "It is lovely to see the range of issues that our children consider to be worthy of support. The children then excelled themselves on the charity afternoon took place. It was a joy to see that, even with so many children and so much excitement, behaviour was exemplary, caring and compassionate.

"It is a tribute their generous and compassionate spirits that they worked so hard in their playtimes and lunchtimes to prepare for this. It is a great privilege to work with such wonderful children, whose understanding of their role as responsible citizens is already so well developed and who reach out with such ready generosity to help those in need. " They raised £166.78 for the various charities.