French company Lafarge donated over £500 from its community fund to cover the costs of employing teacher, Madame Skelton, who comes in to teach French to every child from Reception to Year 6.

In 30-minute lessons the emphasis is on getting to grips with the French language; but the children also get involved in interactive games and songs in order to do this.

Castleton Primary School head teacher Ann Montgomery said: "We are very grateful to Lafarge for this substantial donation which has enabled us to divert our funds to other important areas in the school.

"I feel it is important to have links with local companies and for our children to realise there is a French-owned business right on our doorstep.

"Even this early on in the year, we can already see how much the pupils are getting out of these sessions."

Hope Works production manager and Frenchman, Christophe Bignolas said: "It was great to visit the school during these fun lessons which Lafarge was pleased to be able to fund.

"I could see that the children were really starting to pick up some words from my first language and I look forward to having a complete conversation in French with them later in the year!"