Students at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy collected more than a ton of food for a local foodbank to support those in need.

Children started the challenge at the beginning of the term and were collecting for six weeks for Swindon Food Collective.

It follows the cancellation of the annual harvest festival due to the current pandemic.

Head of House Daniel Webb said: “Our harvest collection and delivery is one of the highlights of the school house calendar and we didn’t want to scrap the idea altogether.

“So, we decided to donate food to a local food bank instead. The volunteers there have been brilliant. They sent us a list of what we needed and collected the food and quarantined it, so it was Covid-safe before distributing to the people who are most in need.”

Earlier this year, students were encouraged to do something positive in the community in order to receive a Captain Tom Moore Community badge.

He added: “In the spirit of the Tom Moore community challenge that we ran last school year, we turned the donation process into a challenge.”

Chair of trustees for the Swindon Food Collective Helen Gerrish said: “This year more than ever we need to be able to distribute essential foods and toiletries to vulnerable people in our community, and the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy students have done their school and the community proud.

“We are very grateful for their compassion and determination to help those who need some extra support.”