A PERMANENT clothes collection bank is now in place within Horrabridge Primary School's playground.

After a few successful collections with a textile recycling scheme, Horrabridge School PTA has now made it easier for everyone to take part with the new clothes bank.

Any good quality clothing, paired shoes, soft toys, sheets, towels, curtains, blankets, handbags and belts can be placed within the collection bank, but nothing unwashed.

Money raised will continue to benefit the children of the school, but the PTA will also be donating 20 per cent to the children's charity Starlight.

Rowan Cooper, member of the school's PTA, said: 'We felt it would be nice for the children to feel as if they are helping others too.

'Starlight brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children by wish granting and also by providing fun, entertainment, laughter and distraction for children in every children's hospital ward and hospice throughout the United Kingdom.'

All Starlight's activities are aimed at distracting children from the pain, fear and isolation they can often feel as a result of their illnesses.

Together with healthcare professionals, they have developed a programme of year-round entertainment and distraction which helps more than 500,000 children every year who are hospitalised for whatever reason.