THE sun may have been shining but youngsters in Dunster donned wellies for their annual 'Walk to School' event on Wednesday.

The unseasonable footwear was chosen to highlight the charity set to benefit from the initiative, which aims to encourage pupils, parents and staff to leave their cars at home for the journey to school.

And the worthy cause - the Seamans Mission - is likely to be £150 better off as a result of their efforts.

Around 120 of the 160 pupils took part, setting off from three locations - Carhampton, Minehead and Luxborough.

And some even walked the whole distance, still managing to get to classes on time.

Headteacher Peter Hoyland said the school tried to adopt a different theme each year for the event.

"We've worn hats in the past but I have to admit that wearing wellies on such a hot day was a bit of a challenge - but it did reflect our chosen charity rather well," he said.

The school was asked to support the Seamans Mission by the owners of the Bampton Street Fish Bar in Minehead, the Ajhan family, whose children were former pupils.

And the family came up with some rewards for the school's efforts, providing prizes for the childrenranging from chocolates to a giant toy fish.

Meanwhile, the annual trophy for the class with the most pupils taking partwent to Year Four, who managed an 88 per cent turn-out.

Youngsters paid £1 each for the privilege of walking to school and the fundraising tally was boosted further by donations to fill a couple pairs of wellies with coins.

Photo: Steve Guscott