Schoolchildren have been using crisp packets to bring some comfort to the homeless this winter.
Pupils at Moorside Primary School in Swinton, Salford, have been collecting hundreds of empty packets to piece together to make 'survival blankets' for those in need.
And as well as providing warmth, they decided to write heartfelt messages on them such as 'stay safe' and and 'hope you stay warm out there'.
The school's Year 5 pupils have so far collected 600 packets, which, once pieced together and covered in plastic, will make four of the blankets.
Joanne Grundy, at Chic Ribbon and Scroll craft shop, in Tyldesley, has supplied the plastic and the school has contacted charities Loaves 'N' Fishes and Emmaus, to help distribute the blankets.
Year 5 teacher Beth Haynes said: "The idea came from a charity in Somerset that had made blankets in their local area. Once we told the children about the idea they worked incredibly hard to collect the packets, clean them and prepare them ready for assembly.
"We decided to make the blankets out of the crisp packets and big sheets of plastic as it can take up to 80 years for one crisp packet to decompose. The children have worked incredibly hard and we have already successfully assembled our first blanket."
She added: "We have had discussions about helping those in need, not necessarily those that are homeless. This opened up brilliant conversation with our children and inspired them to write heartfelt messages on the packets to make people smile."
To find out more about the charities visit the websites for Loaves 'N' Fishes and Emmaus.
