SEARCHING for Christmas cards that are a little bit unusual, but convey just the right message is a pain of a chore for most of us.

But the parents of pupils at Blacko County Primary School have found exactly the right cards - each pack designed by their own child.

With help from modern technology and professional illustrator Chris Moore, every design from all of the 77 pupils in the small village school, was turned into a pack of six cards. And every child was able to take home a full colour set of his or her own card, raising £150 for school funds.

Headteacher Lesley Harper said that the school ran the project on a trial basis, and were so thrilled with the results that they intend to repeat the exercise on an even grander scale next year.

"We are really lucky in having professional help from parent Chris Moore and school governor Geoff Stephenson," said Mrs Harper.

"They and the children worked so hard to produce the cards in a very short time, and, in spite of the fact that half of the pupils and staff have been laid low by the flu bug, we completed the project in time for Christmas."

BOOK REVIEWS

MANY youngsters will receive book tokens this Christmas and may wonder which ones to spend them on. Pupils at Blacko County Primary School have some suggestions for a good read:

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, by Charles Dickens. Illustrated by Andrew Wheatcroft. Published by Dorling Kindersley, £9.99, Eye Witness Classics. "I REALLY like this book because the story is quite scary and it has great illustrations. I especially like the part when Jacob Marley appears.

You are also given extra facts about life in Victorian times down the side of the pages, and realistic pictures to go with these.

I would recommend this book and think it would make a good present." JAMES DENT, age 11.

Adam Kay, also 11, thinks that "the book is worth the price because it is hard backed so will last for a long time. It has a mix of fact and fiction and captures how poor and rich people used to live.

My favourite character is Ebenezer Scrooge who is a mean, tight-fisted man."

Hazel Rycroft, age nine, enjoyed the "really good pictures, especially the ladies. I like all the dresses and bonnets that they wore. This book is very exciting and good for reading at bedtime."

Another group of pupils at Blacko have been reading books by the Horrible Histories series, published by the Hippo diversion of Scholastic Books, price £3.99 each. The author of these is Terry Dean and illustrator Martin Brown.

CUT THROAT CELTS - This is a good way to learn about the Celts as it gives you lots of information written in an amusing way. The stories are quite funny and gory but a bit predictable." JAMES DENT, age 11. THE VICIOUS VIKINGS - This makes the boring parts of a history lesson quite fun. My favourite bit is where they show you how to build a Viking long boat. MATTHEW RILEY, age 10.

THE GROOVY GREEKS - These books give you a lot of information but keep in the gory things that are really good. They give you a laugh as well. TOM HUGHES, age 10.

DON'T forget that pupils, teachers, parents and governors of all schools in East Lancashire are invited to contribute news and views from their school or area to the NIE column.

And the column is updated every week on our Internet web site at our address http://www.newsquest.co.uk/ so information from your school can be read around the world.

Many thanks to all schools who have taken part in all our NIE projects this term. We wish you a happy and restful Christmas holiday.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.