HARVEST festival celebrations have been hailed a success after tonnes of food were donated to support the community and County Durham Food Bank.

Pupils of Victoria Lane Academy visited St James’ Church in Coundon to take part in a special Harvest service lead by Father Gary Nicholson.

The children sang traditional harvest songs and read out poetry before handing over their food donations.

Father Nicholson said: “There was a lovely atmosphere and everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

Youngsters from Sunnybrow Primary School also joined in the harvest fun by visiting Willington Care Village to perform for the residents, who have also worked to donate food to those who need it.

Care home manager Julie Gray said: “I want the people who live here to feel valued, most of these people made Willington and they were there in the forefront, and the way to do it if they can’t get out is to bring people in.”

Pauline Northcott, acting headteacher at Sunnybrow, added: “We are only a small school with 80 pupils so it is so important to make this community link with their own village.

“It’s really important that the children understand that there are people worse off than them.

“Coming here today was part of our harvest celebrations and the children have had a wonderful time.”

Both schools have been collecting food to donate to the local community and Durham Food Bank.