SPREYTON Primary School pupils will be getting five new laptop computers for the school?s computer suite after a silent promise auction raised almost double the original target.

The school?s PTFA had hoped to raise £1,500 towards the laptop fund but as the hugely successful auction raised around £2,700, the pupils can now be equipped with better quality laptop computers.

When faced with raising funds for the laptop fund, the school?s PTFA decided to have one concerted effort. The idea of a silent promise auction was born and the event turned out to be a great success.

The event was masterminded by chair of the PTFA Carole Hole with backing from fellow members and the support of headteacher Cynthia Higbee and teacher Marion Pratt.

Mrs Hole said: ?We were absolutely thrilled and can?t thank people enough.? The promises being auctioned raised just over £2,000 but with the addition of other fundraising the laptop fund total comes to around £2,700.

The doors of the village hall opened at 6.30pm last Saturday, giving everyone a last chance to look at the promises on offer before the auction began at 7pm. It finished two hours later, with the successful bids posted on the walls, so people could work out how much they owed.

Promises varied from bed and breakfast for two, lunch at the Gidleigh Park Hotel, French conversation, Indian head massage and rounds of golf.

Mrs Hole said parents and villagers had also begun a sponsored slim which was running throughout the summer to raise more money for the primary school.

She thanked those who had come along to make bids as well as those who generously made prizes or pledges available.