HUNDREDS of school pupils have taken the Christmas jumper to the next level by customising theirs with baubles, tinsel and even fairy lights.
The pupils from St Mary's College wore their home-made jumpers with pride to raise money for Save The Children fund.
The national fundraiser was organised by the charity as a fun way to encourage people to raise money.
Hannah Stevenson, school chaplaincy co-ordinator, said: "The event had been picked up by the students and brought to Student Council as an idea of something they could get involved in.
"Many of the students wanted to get involved and it was great it was an idea which came from them.
"A lot bought theirs but so many of them really went to town and jazzed them up with baubles, snowflakes, tinsel and some even had lights on them.
"It was a fantastic sight to see with them all walking around in their jumpers.
"The kids really enjoyed it and asked if we can do it again next year."
Each student paid £1 to take part in the festive fun to help children across the world and the school raised the grand total of £978.73.
The money will go towards the charity's work in some of the world's poorest countries where millions of children are growing up in poverty.
The charity works to provide vaccines and mosquito nets to save lives.
Naledi Dube, 14, said: "I bought mine from New Look for £24.
"It's white and blue with snowflakes on it.
"The day was really good fun to be involved with.
"Even people who didn't dress up all donated money."
Connor Cockey, 14, said: "I bought mine for £12 in Primark.
"I didn't do it just because everyone else was, it was because it was for a good cause.
"Everyone looked really good and a lot of people had gone to a lot of effort."
A number of British celebrities are backing the festive fundraising campaign including Myleene Klass, Mark Wright, Erin O'Connor, Lisa Snowdon, Alison Steadman, Ashley Jensen, and Ben Forster.
They have all posed for photographs in their festive woollies.
Student Scire Ilunga, 14, said: "I got a cardigan instead of a jumper from Primark for £18.
"The event was something everyone enjoyed doing, together everyone looked really good.
"We're so pleased with the amount of money we've raised."
Visit www.savethechildren.org. uk/jumpers to donate.
