Youngsters yesterday swapped their school books for sleeping bags to help raise funds to support vital rescue work.

Year 8 pupils at the Open Academy in Heartsease held a 24 hour school day in aid of the UK-based International Rescue charity which has recently been deployed to help the victims of the Japanese tsunami.

After normal lessons ended the fun began with a range of activities from rounders, quizzes to a beat box workshop, and later a DVD.

Year 10 hair and beauty students were also on hand to provide manicures and hand massages at �1 a go and there was also a barbecue with food donated from local butchers, chips from the Frying Machine, and chicken salads from McDonalds, before the 60 pupils settled down to sleep in the school's atrium.

Teacher Leila Sepehrara said: 'My tutor group wanted to do something to raise money for Japan and they came up with the idea of a 24 hour school day.

'It's been really good and they keep coming up saying they want to do another one.'

Mitchel Kelf, 13, said: 'We've been doing loads of activities, and it's all for a good cause.'

Emily Walker, 12, said: 'Everything that's happened in Japan has been really terrible and we now know what it feels like not to be living in your own home.'