A WEST Cumbrian village school has set up a new group to help provide extra activities for children.

A group of parents at Seaton's primary school have organised themselves into the Friends of Seaton Academy.

Dawn Jenkinson, one of the committee members, said: "Our aim is provide extra-curricular activities for pupils, and support for the school against a challenging financial backdrop. The first thing we're fundraising for is to send the children to see a performance of Beauty and the Beast at the Carnegie Theatre in Workington in December.

"Children don't often get a chance to go and see a panto and it's good for them to get that opportunity.

"We do have children at the school who come from deprived backgrounds and they may not always get a chance to do these things out of school.

"It's an opportunity for us to help other families in the area."

Tickets for the 180 pupils to attend the show cost a total £1170, but the group wants to also pay for transport, of which the price is yet to be confirmed.

Dawn, who has two children attending the school, added: "We are seeking supporters who can offer donations, in cash or in kind, or raffle prizes for our forthcoming Autumn Raffle.

"The raffle will be drawn at a fundraising Halloween Party we are holding in October."

The event, with entertainment from Imagination Parties, is due to take place at Seaton Village Hall.

Other fundraising activities the group has started include collection boxes in each class, with a prize for the class collecting the most pennies, and a family sponsored walk.

The walk is due to take place on September 7 at 10.30am along the village's old railway line, followed by a family picnic, weather permitting.

Dawn said: "Parents have been very supportive so far and as we get going I hope they'll get more involved, we're open to suggestions from anyone. We're working closely with the school and they feel children are missing out as well."

The group is registered with Parentkind and for more information people can visit the Facebook page Friends Of Seaton Academy.