PUPILS at a Cambridgeshire school have filled shoe boxes with early Christmas gifts for children in need in Kosovo. Children at Somersham Primary School presented the brightly decorated shoe boxes to Richard Hetherington, minister at Somerhsam Baptist Chu

PUPILS at a Cambridgeshire school have filled shoe boxes with early Christmas gifts for children in need in Kosovo.

Children at Somersham Primary School presented the brightly decorated shoe boxes to Richard Hetherington, minister at Somerhsam Baptist Church. He will deliver the boxes to families in Kosovo as part of the Hope and Aid Direct project 2006.

Each class filled two boxes, one for a girl and one for a boy. Items included writing sets, toiletries, toys and messages of friendship.

Linda Hammond, a senior teacher who co-ordinated the collection, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for our children to become involved with helping other children in real and immediate need, and to learn about people's lives in other countries."

It is the second year the school has supported the charitable expedition to Kosovo.