Lawton Manor Care Home, in Church Lawton, has teamed up with Alsager Highfields Primary School for a newly launched pen pal scheme, connecting residents within their homes with creative writing pupils.

Residents of Lawton Manor, which is run by Barchester Healthcare have written replies to letters received from children of different ages at the school and have started to make new friends within the inter-generational scheme.

Letter writing, which is part of the school's creative writing curriculum has covered many topics from Christmas plans, favourite local walks and pet animals.

Some children wrote that they wanted to write to the care home's residents to "cheer you up" and "to put a smile on your face".

Rebecca Whitehouse, general manager of Lawton Manor, said: "Residents have really enjoyed becoming pen pals with Alsager Highfields School and sharing their stories with the young pupils.

"We know from our conversations with the deputy headteacher, Mrs Henshall that some children are schooling at home during the lockdown and that the pen pal scheme has meant that the children feel they are writing for a purpose.

"The residents at our home have received wonderful letters and stories from children of all ages and long may the intergenerational communication continue with the young ones."