SCHOOLCHILDREN, bank and shop staff, hospital workers and others across Gwent are going all sparkly today to support the Sparkle Appeal.

But for youngsters at two Gwent schools, Sparkle Day - where you pay £1 to wear something sparkly to school or work - came a day early.

Youngsters at Eveswell primary in Newport, and Harold Road junior in Abergavenny, sparkled yesterday because it fitted in better with their end-of-term commitments.

Cathy Barnett, head teacher at Eveswell, said more than 400 pupils took part, with staff entering into the fun as well.

"It's been very sparkly here today, the children have really gone for it in a big way!" she said. Sparkle Day is one of the first events being held to raise cash to build and equip the South Gwent Children's Centre, which will be built at High Cross, Newport.

It will cater for the needs of more than 1,200 disabled children and their families currently living in Newport, Torfaen and south Monmouthshire, as well as future generations.

Sparkle Day is happening across Gwent. Participants include a number of departments and wards at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Gwent branches of Barclays Bank, Marks and Spencer, and Coleg Gwent in Ebbw Vale.

Pupils at Crindau primary school in Newport, which has adopted the Sparkle Appeal as its charity to support, are also making sure they sparkle on the last day of term.