A school is not ‘giving up’ for Lent this year but has set its pupils a challenge to help others.

Pupils at Bishop Stopford’s School, in Brick Lane, Enfield, are taking part in the ‘Phil the bag’ scheme.

The aim is to fill bags with recyclable clothes and shoes that will then be sold to raise money and support projects in developing countries or sent directly.

More than 30 bags of clothing have been donated by students and staff in just a few weeks.

Jon Seabrook, assistant headteacher responsible for school worship, said: “Lent is an important time in the Christian year; Phil the Bag is enabling our students to put the Christian ethos of the school into practice, by doing something extra for others.”