PUPILS from a Worcester school donned decorators' overalls to help brighten up a local church.

The youngsters were from the Delta team at The River School and they joined forces with a work party from Ombersley Road Methodist Church in Barbourne to undertake a variety of jobs, including painting walls and skirting boards.

The Delta scheme takes pupils from years 9 to 11 out of school for an afternoon once a fortnight to challenge pupils to take on responsibility for their own futures.

David Lawrance, property steward from the church said: β€œThe help we have received from The River School pupils has been invaluable for our church and means that we can now move ahead with our plans to renovate and refurbish other parts of the building.

"We are extremely grateful to them as without their help it would have taken so much longer!

"As both a thank you to them and a gesture to show how grateful we were for all their hard work, we presented them with certificates.”

Carol Parry, the school's headteacher, said: "The pupils who took part in the project at Ombersley Methodist Church gained valuable experience, both practically and in a broader community context.

"We value such occasions where our young people can get involved in projects where they learn how to appreciate different environments and strive to make a difference.

"We would like to thank the church for the opportunity and wish them all the best in their future renovations.”