RUDOLPH the red-faced reindeer had got lost -- just when his social diary was crammed full of engagements.

Luckily, a Blackburn school was hot on his trail hoping to stage-manage his embarrassed return to the Christmas fray.

The disappearance was all in a good cause, as pupils at St Wilfrid's CE High School raised cash to send out to a former student who is working with starving children in Africa.

Teachers told pupils that Rudolph had gone missing and that unless he was found Christmas just might not happen. The youngsters were guessing where he was at 50p a time -- money which will bring much-needed post-Christmas aid to the children, who live in Kitwe in northern Zambia, where Rebecca Thomas, of Duxbury Street, Darwen, is working.

So far, they have raised over £300.

Teacher Harold Gillibrand explained that Rebecca, one of last year's upper sixth students, was taking a gap year in Kitwe, where she is working in a school and local orphanages which are in desperate need of money.

"There are more than 1,000 children to look after, many of whose parents have died of Aids," he said.

"The school has no equipment, and the children are dressed in rags, barefoot and have swollen stomachs because of malnutrition.

"School sometimes has to be abandoned in the rainy season because it has no roof."

Twice a week the children go to clinics where they are fed -- and for some this is their only meal. "Just £5 feeds 60 children," Mr Gillibrand added.

A 'Find Rudolph' wall display was mounted at St Wilfrid's.

And the art department produced a large cartoon.

"Tickets were on sale each lunchtime and prizes have been donated.

"It has all captured the school's imagination," Mr Gillibrand added.

"We are delighted to be supporting Rebecca in what she is doing out there."