A Tadcaster headteacher swapped his suit for an apron to raise money for a pupil who needs a new leg.

Geoff Mitchell turned dinner lady yesterday to help serve more than a thousand dinners to pupils at Tadcaster Grammar School.

The fundraising event was part of the school's £10,000 appeal to buy a computerised leg for pupil Adam Hudson.

Adam, 17, lost his leg after a long battle with cancer and the school is trying to raise the money needed to fit Adam with a state-of-the-art leg before he returns to the sixth form in September.

Adam's old class asked Mr Mitchell if he would serve the dinners if they could raise £1,000.

Mr Mitchell said: "I now know how hard the dinner ladies work and I will have a long-standing empathy with them.

"It also gave me an insight into the very strange eating habits of young people."

The school has now raised £5,000 for Adam in only five weeks and they plan to continue until they reach the full amount.

Mr Mitchell said: "Adam's courage, humility and determination are a lesson for everybody. I think he is an incredible boy."

If you would like to make a donation towards a new leg for Adam, please write to the Adam Hudson Appeal at Tadcaster Grammar School.

Updated: 12:05 Saturday, March 22, 2003