MILLIONAIRE Harrods boss Mohammed Al Fayed today earned a place in the hearts of pupils at a school after stepping in to give them a special gift.

The big-hearted tycoon came up trumps when he heard about a fund-raising appeal to buy a new washing machine for Town House special school, Nelson.

The school, which has just 40 pupils, was told it could forget about trying to raise the cash for a machine when Mr Al Fayed said - 'I'll send you one from Harrods...and a dryer too.' Now staff and pupils are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new equipment from the world-famous store.

Nursery nurse Margaret Halliwell said: "We were all stunned when we were told. Mr Al Fayed has a heart of gold. He's even sending the machines up in a Harrods van from London. We can't thank him enough."

Mr Al Fayed learned of the school's need for a washing machine through Derek Howells, of the Alma Inn, Laneshawbridge.

Mr Howells battled to persuade the government to grant the tycoon British citizenship last year and the two have remained in touch, with Mr Al Fayed even allowing the pub to be the only one in the world to sell Harrods luxury beer.

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