Kind-hearted children from a primary school have written welcome cards to Afghan families evacuated from their country.

Children at St Charles’ Roman Catholic Primary School in Rishton set about giving those being supported in the county a warm welcome to Lancashire.

After hearing about the plight of the families coming to Lancashire, children hand-made a series of colourful welcome cards which were delivered by a group of pupils and school staff to a temporary location being used while suitable homes were found in England.

They also gifted clothes and toys for the families, as well as various other items.

Declan, aged 9, said: “I really like making and giving things to people and seeing a smile on their face. It makes my heart feel really warm.”

Acting headteacher of St Charles', Patrick Kennedy said: “We have been focusing on the dignity of the human person this half-term and how no human being should have their dignity or freedom compromised.

“Through this, our children have learnt about the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and the subsequent displacement of thousands of people.

“We have had a particular focus on how we can welcome people so when we learnt that families from Afghanistan were being accommodated in Lancashire, our children wanted to extend a welcome to them by creating cards, banners, activity packs and also bringing some toys and clothes in from home for them.

“A group of children really enjoyed delivering the cards to the families.”

The county council, in partnership with various agencies, is currently supporting a number of families as part of the UK Government’s Afghan Locally Employed Staff (LES) Relocation Scheme.

The scheme aims to find homes for people who were employed by the British Army to support troops in Afghanistan, as well as their families.

Cllr Jayne Rear, cabinet member for education, said: “The children have shown such kindness and compassion for those less fortunate for themselves – they really are a credit to Lancashire.

“Many of the families we have been supporting have endured a great deal of trauma prior to arriving here, so it is really important that we offer them the warmest of welcomes.”