PUPILS at a Hampshire school donated almost 1,000 meals to those in need in time for Christmas.

Staff and students from Noadswood School, based in Dibden Purlieu, gave 292kg to Waterside Food Bank as part of their Christmas collection appeal.

Following assemblies that were shown to pupils telling them about the work of the food bank and their need for support during the festive season, they joined together with the food bank to provide around 905 meals to those in need.

Food bank coordinator Jan Hayter said that in one December week alone, 43 emergency food boxes were given to 155 people as a result of those donations.

The school had originally planned to deliver the food by car, although they realised this would not be possible when loading the donations.

They decided their minibus would be the only from of transport to get the large amount of donations delivered.

More than half of the Noadswood School minibus was filled with boxes and bags "bursting at the seams", which left just enough room for three students to be transported and accompanied by staff, who delivered the donations to Jan and her team at the food bank.

Assistant headteacher Helen Loveday said: "It was humbling to learn how our donations will be packaged into parcels for those in our local community who need this type of support."