Children at a primary school have helped build an educational library in Africa by raising more than £1,000.

Year 4 pupils at Lordship Primary School in Letchworth GC held a Zambian-themed day to raise the funds for the Ndeco Primary School in north western Zambia, close to the border with Angola.

The youngsters dressed up in the colours of the Zambian flag, sang their national anthem and took part in African drumming, dancing and drama workshops.

The children also donated hundreds of books to stock the library, with help from David’s Bookshop in Eastcheap.

Following the fundraiser a library was opened – the first permanent structure to be built – at the African school last month with the help of Lordship teacher Katrian Skinner, who travelled to Zambia for the opening ceremony.

She said: “The opening was a grand occasion with the local MP and the director of education present. We all made speeches and the villagers and pupils performed cultural dances and songs. It was incredibly moving.”

Lordship pupil Karina Singh said: “I really think that this library will help those quiet children sitting in the corner step into paradise.”