Children from the Blue School in Isleworth have been busy making their money stretch further.

All 250 children from nursery class to year 6 were given a pound coin and the mission was to generate as much money as possible from this to raise funds for the school's overseas charity the Bushfire Orphanage in Ghana.

The youngsters made their pounds grow by buying shoe polish and polishing shoes, buying nail varnish and painting nails, buying ingredients and making and selling cakes, buying material and making Easter cards and buying sponges and cleaning cars and windows.

Pupils Elliott Ferris and Charlotte Gallagher bought a hat and, with their fathers Roger Ferris and Patrick Gallager, made £136 by busking in the street, playing trumpets after the recent five nations rugby match at Twickenham.

The parents assocation donated some of the proceeds of their annual Easter fair and cake sale and teachers also joined in.

One staff member did everyone else's playground duty and five staff dressed as the Spice Girls and performed - with the kids paying for the privilege of hearing them.

The congregations at All Saints church, Isleworth, All Saints, Twickenham, St Mary's Osterley, StJohn's, Isleworth and customers from the London Apprentice bought cakes.

The final amount raised is not yet known but is expected to be at least £31,250.

Jo Frostrick headteacher said: "I am delighted with the way in which the children, encouraged by the school council, set about their tasks in the Sharing of the Talents.

"It has also helped us as a community to think of others and their needs."