Kind-hearted youngsters at Sheringham Primary School have collected more than 20 boxes of storecupboard staples and Christmas treats for needy local families as part of foodbank charity the Trussell Trust's reverse advent scheme.

The children, who handed over the jars, packets and tins to Cromer and District Foodbank volunteer Jane Green in a special assembly, came up with the idea of supporting the scheme, which appealed to people to give an item each day for a month starting from the first week of November.

The youngsters made a list of the things they thought low income families might like to eat at Christmas, with each class decorating a box which they then filled with food ranging from baked beans and pasta, to chocolates and mince pies.

Mrs Green, who is lead volunteer at the foodbank's Sheringham distribution centre, is currently helping fill more than 100 Christmas boxes with festive treats including crackers, advent calendars and chocolate biscuits.

The boxes will be handed out to families in the Sheringham area in the next couple of weeks.

Thanking Sheringham Primary pupils and their families for their support, Mrs Green said: 'It makes a big difference, particularly in the winter months when families on a low income often find that once they have paid for heating, they are struggling to buy food.'

Sheringham Primary head teacher Sue Brady hoped more schools would support the reverse advent scheme next year.

She added: 'I think it gave our children an opportunity to see how important the foodbank is and how much of a difference they could make just by bringing a small amount in to school.'

For more information about Cromer and District Foodbank, visit www.cromerdistrictfoodbank.org.uk