Hermitage Academy has received a significant boost to its coffers after more than £700 was raised at a recent car boot sale.

The indoor event, which was held in the main hall of the school, featured more than 70 stalls with a wide range of items as well as a pop-up café and cake stall which proved very popular.

Marie Harvey, chair of the academy’s PTA, which organised the fund-raiser, was pleased to see such a great turnout and said the money will be put to good use in supporting the school’s clubs and extra-curricular activities.

She told the Advertiser: “The event was very well attended. The car boot sale is not only a chance to pick up a bargain, but it’s a chance for folk to meet up and have a chatter over a cup of tea and a cake too.

“It’s also an opportunity for our students to raise funds for their own causes.”

S6 pupil Morag Cowie and her schoolmates raised £287 from a bake sale as part of the Bookcase Zambia initiative ahead of a trip to Africa next year.

This follows an earlier trip in 2016 by teacher Louise Baird, and pupils at Hermitage Academy and the local community have since donated more than 1,300 books to the Highlands Primary School in the town of Livingstone.

Morag said: “By going to Zambia, we aim to give the children in Livingstone the chance to experience adventure, to learn and grow through reading.

“Fundraising is an important part of our experience, so we would just like to say a big thanks to the support of the local community and the Hermitage Academy PTA.”

The PTA has raised more than £33,000 in recent years and it is hoped support for these vital funds can be increased to £40,000 in the next few years.

A Christmas craft fair, featuring 90 stalls, is due to take place on Saturday, November 17. For more information, email hermitageacademypta@gmail.com.