Youngsters at a primary school in Clyst St George have been busy filling shoe boxes with Christmas presents for underprivileged children in Eastern Europe.

Inspired by the suggestion that young people in Moldova face the prospect of having no gifts this Christmas, pupils at Lady Seawards Primary School put clothes, toys and toiletries into wrapped shoe boxes bound for the former Soviet nation.

Pupils from the school were given a talk by Hugh Scudder, of Christian Response, who told them the boxes will be delivered to a soup kitchen in Moldova for youngsters to open on Christmas day.

Some also included notes and photographs so the children in Moldova will know whose act of generosity has given them a festive surprise.

Head of teaching and learning at Lady Seawards Simon Westwood said: “We are very proud of the children at Lady Seaward’s for thinking of others at this time of year and for supporting such a worthwhile charity.”