STUDENTS at a school in Blackburn have been helping those in need this month.

Pupils at Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School have spent December fundraising to buy gifts for those in need in their local community and beyond.

Year seven and eight pupils at the Preston New Road school have been running stalls selling everything from scented candles to stationery at weekly fundraisers held in school during lunchtimes.

The school has used the funds raised, together with donations for parents, to buy gifts for residents of local nursing homes, young patients at Royal Blackburn Hospital, and local homeless people supported by Nightsafe.

Pupils from Years 10 and 11 made visits to Springfield, Longfield and Northwood nursing homes in Preston New Road and children’s wards to distribute gifts and spend time chatting to residents and patients.

Pupils also took donations of warm clothing to the Nightsafe shelter on Railway Road in Blackburn.

Principal Lukman Ahmed said: "It is the perfect time to visit our local elderly and children in our local hospital to give something back. Our girls were really excited to be able to do this.”