CHILDREN from Priestley Primary School in Calne raised so much cash for the Rotary Club's Aquabox Appeal that they had funds to spare.

The Calne school's three senior classes raised £500 last term, which was enough to buy items to pack six of the Aquaboxes.

The boxes are designed to carry useful items to aid disaster-hit areas across the world.

Once transported, they can be adapted into water purification kits.

Having filled the boxes with enough items, teachers and children decided they wanted to donate the £200 left over to a project that would benefit te local community.

They presented Colemans Farm Learning and Community Centre, in Angels Close, with the spare cash.

Deputy headteacher Tracey Dunn said the community centre will use the money to buy toys for a parent and toddler drop-in centre it plans to start soon.

"The children have raised a lot of money for international projects, including Oxfam and the Aquabox Appeal," she said.

"But this project will be of real benefit to local people and the children decided they wanted to help their own community."

Vicky Waite and Diane Peckham, who are heavily involved in the development of the centre, were unable to attend the school's cheque presentation.

Instead the school enlisted the help of Mrs Waite's grandson, Robert Stinchcombe, 11, and Mrs Peckham's daughter, Kathryn Wingate, nine, who both attend the school, to stand in.