THE boss of the Blackburn-based Star Academies’ Trust has expressed his pride in its pupils' community work over the Christmas and New Year season.

Young people in its 24 schools nationwide took part in charitable activities to support vulnerable people during the organisations annual Festive Winter Gift Programme.

They included filling hampers and shoeboxes with food, toiletries, toys, gifts and treats for charities including Blackburn Nightsafe, the Royal Blackburn Hospital and Age Concern in the town.

Pupils also donated winter clothing and spent a night sleeping outside.

Star Academies include Blackburn’s Tauheedul Islam Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools, Olive school and Fearns Community Sports College in Stacksteads.

Its chief executive Mufti Hamid Patel said: “We are extremely proud of all our pupils and the huge difference they have made during what can be a difficult and lonely time of year for some people."