STUDENTS and staff at a pupil referral unit have helped families in need of food during the Christmas period.

Pathway Education Centre started collecting food donations for Newtown Food Bank in December after coming up with the idea at a student council meeting.

Pupils Tom Meredith and Shaun Turner presented a hamper of food to the territorial envoy at the Salvation Army shop in Newtown.

“Gifts like this make a real difference," said Samantha Jones, from the Salvation Army, after thanking the students for their generous act.

The Pathway Education Centre student council will meet again in the New Year to discuss how they can further contribute to charity.

Sarah Purdy, student council leader at Pathway Education Centre, said: "Their enthusiasm has been heart-warming.”