SCHOOLS in the Ribble Valley have raised more than £13,000 for charity after performing a play penned by a Longridge headteacher.

A dozen schools in and around the market town came together to collect cash for the Royal British Legion with a performance which included 500 pupils.

The primary and secondary school pupils were joined by 100 members of staff for the performance of Forget Me Not at Preston Guild Hall.

Simon Wallis, headteacher of Barnacre Road Primary School in Longridge, who wrote and directed the wartime play, said: "I was inspired to do something to commemorate the war five years ago when my mum passed away.

“As a little girl in Liverpool she used to shelter under a table when the bombs fell. However as time goes on, fewer people are hearing these stories.

“The play tells the story of the war and the war years using drama and music.

“We have been just amazed at the response. We have been besieged by examples of war stories and the donations have kept coming in since then.

“Just yesterday we got another £50 donation. Though we led the play, it would never have been possible without the help and expertise in drama and music from all the other Longridge schools.

“The pupils in particular were just amazing."

Vickie Butcher, community fundraising manager at the Royal British Legion, said: “Congratulations to all the pupils and teachers across Longridge who have raised this fantastic amount to support our Armed Forces.

“The Legion gratefully accepts this donation which will help us to support serving personnel, veterans and their families in a variety of ways.”