Two schools have rallied together to collect items for deprived children in Eastern Europe this Christmas.

For the first time, the international committee of the Rotary Club of King's Lynn, headed by Rotarian Andy Holford, set up a trial shoe box scheme in King's Lynn.

Two King's Lynn schools - North Wootton Academy and Howard Infant and Nursery School - have jumped on board and the school children have been busy collecting donations.

Together they have filled 50 shoe boxes to join some 50,000 similar boxes destined for delivery this Christmas and year-round to countries in Eastern Europe.

Every box includes the name of the child and the school that filled it.

It is hoped that the pilot scheme will encourage more schools to participate. Schools wanting to know more about the scheme are invited to visit the club at The Stuart House Hotel in Goodwins Road.