Mount Street Infants School in Brecon has hosted its very first 'Elf-ridges' store, allowing their pupils to take home a present for someone of their choosing this Christmas.

The event was organised by the PTA, which aimed to help support the school community through the current cost of living crisis.

The children all attended a pop-up shop in the hall and got to choose gifts to give to their loved ones, before decorating them themselves, on a day packed with festive fun and merriment.

Shan Kenchington, headteacher of Mount Street Infants said: “So it was a PTA organised event, it came completely from them.

“They just wanted to do something for the cost of living crisis. We wanted every child to be able to give something to their family for free.

“The children have got a really supportive PTA at the school, we have only asked the parents for a one pound donation for everything that we’ve done this year - that includes a trip to the theatre, a Christmas party, cooking workshop, a visit from Father Christmas.

“So, between grants and the support of the PTA, so we have only had to ask the parents for a pound, I think it’s so lovely that we’ve been able to give the children this, and it is really nice to acknowledge what the PTA does.”

Mrs Kenchington was keen to stress the importance of events like this to young children - particularly in light of the Covid pandemic.

“Our older children are six turning seven, so because of Covid none of them have had a full Christmas experience at school,” she said.

“These are the days you remember in school; you don’t remember the really good Science lesson.

“They absolutely loved it, to see their faces when they came in, lots of them were really ponderous about what they’re going to choose for their present, and it was just lovely to hear them chatting to each other about the gifts.”

The event went so well that it is now expected to be a regular fixture on the Mount Street Infants calendar.

Mrs Kenchington said: “I think it’s the first time for us doing an event like this, it is something we will do now every year. It will be one for the future, a huge thanks to our PTA.”