Youngsters from Therfield First School have harvested the gift of giving with the help of the surrounding community.

Headteacher Tara McGovern decided to adopt a different approach to this week’s harvest festival after taking over the post at The Causeway-based school in September.

Her idea was a ‘Flowers of Friendship’ project which saw all 51 pupils beavering away on Monday to create posies, before delivering them to unsuspecting villagers living in Therfield.

Their creations were put together after parents, Royston’s Tesco Extra store and Bury Lane Farm Shop in Melbourn all donated flowers and foliage to the cause.

In total, posies were delivered to more than 150 houses, as well as St Mary’s Church, Therfield Pre-School and the Fox and Duck pub.

On Tuesday morning the children came to school dressed as fishermen, farmers, fruits, vegetables and farm animals for a special harvest breakfast provided by staff and in aid of Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire, before the day culminated with a special harvest assembly performed in front of parents.

Afterwards, eight-year-old Eva Walker said: “I liked making the people happy. When they are happy, I am happy – you’ve got to spread the happiness to be happy.”

Mrs McGovern said: “The aim was to spread positivity around the village and for the children to experience the wonderful gift of giving.”

“Some residents rarely have visitors, so we thought it would be lovely for them to answer the door to young children bearing a floral gift of friendship.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support that was offered to bring this idea to life – we could not have done it without the generosity of our parents, Tesco Extra and Bury Lane Farm Shop.”

“The weather was not always forgiving but the children continued to smile, thoroughly enjoying spreading such cheer. One of our recipients said it was the ‘nicest thing’ that had happened to them in a very long time, and we have received many cards, emails and phone calls of thanks.”