PUPILS and staff from a Blackburn primary school have been getting behind DIY SOS Big Build Children in Need Special and the renovation of St Silas Church.

Crews from the TV programme, which includes electrician Billy Byrne and build manager Mark Millar, along with volunteers from the community, are working with charity, Nightsafe, to convert a rundown church hall at St Silas’s Church into accommodation for vulnerable children.

Work started on the project on Tuesday and the community have been helping out with the work by giving their time and also donating cakes to the workers.

The school had two special visitors this week with Billy Byrne and even Pudsey the Bear dropping by this week

Paul Ellis from St Silas School said: "The church hall is our original school, I think dating back to 1834.

"It began life as St Silas Sunday School until full-time education became the law in the 1891 Education Act.

"Our current school building is the third incarnation of St Silas CE School, opening in 2012.

"As such we think it is a fantastic story, as the original building, unused for helping children for over 100 years is now being put back into use, helping the most vulnerable children in the 21st century.

"The children really enjoyed having Pudsey here and it is nice to give something back to the workers who are giving off their time as we have donated cakes.

"It is brilliant what they are doing down there and I went down on Thursday and was helping digging and moving the plasterboard.

"We want to be involved in it because it is part of where we used to be."

Some of the pupils enjoyed having the visitors.

Aqib said: "It was great to have Pudsey come in to Worship, everyone was really pleased."

Alayna said: ''It has been great to be involved with helping other children. It was good to see Pudsey."

Hasnain added: "It was great to see Pudsey as he helps children who aren't as lucky as we are."

The Big Build in Blackburn will run until Thursday September 12, but show organisers and the team of DIY experts are still looking for people to offer their skills to enable to project to be finished on time.

For those wanting to help transform the church site, email diysosblackburn@bbc.co.uk