A NEWPORT school reaped a huge response when it decided to use this year's harvest festival to support troops serving in Afghanistan.

Pupils and staff at Millbrook Primary in Bettws donated items the servicemen and women need such as warm socks, dried food, soap and pens.

Head teacher Lindsey Watkins said they usually collected produce as part of the annual festival which was distributed to local charities but they decided to do something different this year.

"Several children have dads who are in the army and some of them are serving in Afghanistan. The mother of one of my staff works for the British Legion and they distribute things to the armed forces that they desperately need."

She added that the response was absolutely tremendous with some parents also making monetary donations.

A representative from the British Legion visited the school to pick up the items and spoke to the children in assembly, thanking them for their kindness.