SCHOOLBOYS William Ruell and Benjamin Luxton know a thing or two about cold knees.

The nine-year-old youngsters wore shorts to school for a whole year - through one of the worst winters and snowfalls on record.

But the efforts of the plucky boys - who both attend Lydeard St Lawrence Primary School - netted a total of £287 for the Little Bridge Children's Hospice near Barnstaple.

Although Benjamin lives next door to the school, William's home is Holcombe Water Farm, near Raleghs Cross - and his journey to lessons involved waiting for the school bus in often freezing fog and temperatures.

"But he never complained - and he never once asked to change into long trousers," said William's mum, Kate.

William had actually wanted to wear shorts the previous year but bad weather prompted his father to intervene, fearing his son, an asthma sufferer, would fall ill. But when he asked again last September, the family decided that, if he was going to embark on the challenge, it might as well be for a good cause.

"William actually likes wearing shorts but it was still no mean feat in all that awful weather we had at the end of last year," said Kate.

"He roped in his friend Benjamin and they chose the children's hospice to benefit because I think they felt it was something they could relate to.

"In fact, I think the hardest part of the challenge for both of them has been collecting the money, although we are so grateful to everyone who sponsored them."

The boys visited the hospice to hand over their cash and Kate said: "We were made so welcome and given a full tour of the building.

"It's a wonderful place and the boys found it so inspirational that they are already thinking of other ways they can raise funds to help the hospice again."