SPRING might be in the air, but at one North Yorkshire primary school thoughts were turned firmly towards snowmen, robins, angels and choirboys.

All 119 pupils at Sheriff Hutton Primary School painstakingly designed the Christmas images to go on a set of four cards.

Their artistic efforts raised an impressive £500, which will go towards work at Ryedale Special Families, based in Old Malton, and the school.

The head teacher, Pam Powell, said the PTA project had been an enormous success. "It was lovely really to have a joint effort like that, with everyone involved," she said.

"All the children did a little drawing on one theme, so one class all drew robins, one did snowmen, one class were in charge of angels and the other choirboys.

"The teachers were involved in the classroom doing the artwork, then the PTA helped put the cards together and print them.

"It was a whole community effort and I am sure we will do something like it again. Last year we made calendars with a photo of each child, with all the January birthdays together and so on."

David Brewster, of Ryedale Special Families, said: "We gave a talk about the work we are involved in and what we do with families and children with special needs.

"I told them how we will spend the money on plans for the summer, including a diverse programme of swimming, outdoor pursuits, sports, drama. We even hope to go llama trekking."

Updated: 09:26 Thursday, February 27, 2003