COMMUNICATION lines are open at George Ward School, Melksham. A new laptop, donated by a parent, is just one of the ways in which members of the school council are trying to make it easier to raise and deal with issues at the school.

Council members have also come up with a suggestion box for ideas and have placed a new noticeboard in the main entrance.

They have already made use of the laptop to create a Powerpoint presentation they will be giving to fellow pupils over the next few weeks.

They will be going into assemblies to explain what their role is and what they have achieved so far.

A body massage and a trip in a Porsche 911 were two of the items on offer at an auction of promises last night. The auction, at the Bell Inn, Seend, was organised by three George Ward sixth form pupils. The students organised the event to raise funds for a two-week trip to Morocco at Easter.

George Ward School pupils Simon Ellinger and David Finlay, both 15, have been picked to play for the Wiltshire squad. The pair are both studying for their GCSEs but find the time to play rugby both for their school and for Melksham teams.