FLOOD victims in Cumbria have thanked pupils at a Winchester school who helped lift their spirits over Christmas.

Year 4 children at Oliver's Battery Primary School made cards for hospitals and other groups in the county after studying the Lake District.

The Skylarks class was described as a "credit to the school" for congratulating staff on their long shifts during floods.

Groups to write back included North Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Carlisle United FC and Cumberland Infirmary, which was forced to cancel appointments after flooding in December.

Steve Boon, of infirmary operator Interserve, said: “It is heartening that people from afar send their best wishes, so on behalf of everyone employed at the hospital can I say a huge thank you to your pupils. They are clearly able to articulate their thoughts and emotions very well."

He added the children were a "credit to the school".

Evie, aged eight, said: “It was amazing that people with busy jobs were making time to help those in need. We wanted to cheer them up with our letters, but expected that they would be too busy to reply. I thought about them a lot over Christmas.”

The letters earned local news coverage and were posted on social media by Carlisle United FC and North Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust said: "It was very kind of you to think of us and to take the time to make such lovely cards and touching letters. We have passed the cards and letters on to staff in wards and departments around the hospital and they really appreciated your kindness.”