St Mary's school fundraiser

Inspired by Jamie Oliver and his views on the treatment of battery hens, the pupils decided to make their own cakes using free range eggs and sell them for 25p each to raise funds.

Seven pupils, aged between 6-11, took part in the project which was part of their national curriculum citizenship work, according to staff member Jane Davidson.

She described how the children had become interested in the Jamie Oliver campaign and went on to investigate battery hens and free range chickens. They visited Tesco's and examined eggs and also went to see some free range chickens on a farm.

The group then bought free range eggs and used them to make chocolate chip cakes, fruit cakes, and gluten-free.

On Wednesday morning they visited Hayley Atkins and Lorraine Gill at Cat's Whiskers to present the money they raised for the Battery Hen Welfare Trust. They were accompanied by Jane Davidson with Mary Conker and Sarah Townend.

Hayley commented: "This is amazing. They have really got involved."