75821-44SILENCE descended on a village school when pupils held a sponsored hush for charity.

Dozens of children, aged six to 11, took part in the challenge at St Andrew's School in Blunsdon for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

All money raised will help dedicated Macmillan nurses ease suffering for cancer victims and their families.

Nicky Mills, deputy headteacher, said she had never known the school to be as quiet.

"All the children observed it well and took part in activities like reading or art work during the sponsored silence," she said.

Younger children remained quiet for five minutes while the older ones kept it up for 30 minutes.

Money is still trickling in and it's hoped the total will top £300.

"During the silence we asked the children to think about why they were doing it.

"The feedback we got showed many had been affected by the disease.

"Although they found it quite a challenge I think they enjoyed it."

Money is continuing to roll in for the appeal. Nearly £600,000 has been raised since March 2003 when the appeal was launched by the Evening Advertiser.

The cash will pay for the work of two Macmillan nurses at Great Western Hospital and a consultant in palliative care, who will divide his or her time between the hospital and Prospect Hospice.

Anyone interested in organising an event should contact the Swindon Cancer Appeal fundraising office on 01793 601636 or 01793 601637.

Greenbridge retail park will be donating hundreds of pounds to Macmillan after its Christmas competition.

The 19 winners of Greenbridge's Christmas 'cash back' competition, which gave shoppers the chance to win back money spent at the park before Christmas, have been chosen.

A maximum of £250 could be reclaimed and because several winners had not spent up to this value, Greenbridge will be donating the difference to Macmillan Cancer Relief.