YOUNGSTERS have helped an elf to discover the cost of Christmas with a financial workshop run by a social landlord.

The children visited the offices of livin, at DurhamGate, near to Spennymoor, where they helped Earnest the Elf solve his money problems.

Livin staff built a grotto where they met Earnest who had spent all of his Christmas money. The children took part in workshops to discover the cost of Christmas.

Colin Steel, livin chief executive, said: “As well as ensuing all the children had fun, the purpose of Ernest the Elf was to help children understand the cost of Christmas and why it is important to take care with money.”

The three day event saw 300 pupils from 11 primary schools visit livin for the scheme jointly run by the social landlord and community interest company Success.

The children also met Santa Claus who gave each child a money box with £1 in to help them start saving.