BIG-hearted youngsters at a Halesowen primary school have won the prize for the most money collected for the Poppy Appeal, after being chosen to test a new fundraising pack.

Hurst Green has been awarded the cup for raising the most of all the town’s primary schools, with a total of £397.

The top high school was Windsor with £253 collected and Halesowen College's public services student helped raise £646 for the appeal which is on track to raise well over £17,000.

Halesowen’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal organiser Bronya Webster said more than £16,700 had already been collected, but all year round collecting tins and other fundraising meant the final total would not be known until October.

She said Halesowen had done “extremely well” although the total was likely to be down a little due to the economic climate and pressure from other appeals.

Mrs Webster added: “The schools are spectacular, they really, really work hard for us and the primary schools, bless their little hearts, really do well.”

Hurst Green was chosen to test a new fundraising pack containing a selection of items for sale as well as the traditional poppies, including friendship bracelets, wristbands and message bugs.

Headteacher Julia Bathurst said: “We were over the moon with the response to the Poppy Appeal from the pupils and their families and are delighted to have been awarded the trophy."

The pack is likely to be rolled out to all schools following its success at Hurst Green and other test schools around the country.