RINGWOOD School students and staff donated 3,671 food tins and personal care items to bring joy to those less fortunate than themselves this Christmas. Donations will be sent to the Salvation Army soup kitchen in Bournemouth, a woman's refuge and shelter in east London and a hostel in Portsmouth.

The last few weeks have seen donations of items such as soup, tomatoes, beans, tea, coffee, pasta, rice, biscuits, toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap.

Items were collected at the school and at Grants Estate Agents in Ringwood.

Led by a team of sixth form students, the initiative has now been running for more than 10 years and continues to grow in support each year, as the need to help those less fortunate becomes ever greater.

Nigel Himmel, Head of Pastoral Care at the school said: "Ringwood School students pride themselves on being at the heart of the local community. Communities are judged on how they support those who are less fortunate and the generosity and consideration of our students is quite outstanding."