Putting smiles on faces through music has been the aim of one school's campaign as it looks to make a difference in the community.

Pupils at Great Orton Primary School just in Carlisle have been creating and performing their own songs to help combat loneliness among the community's older generation.

The project is part of a Centre for Leadership Performance initiative, called Bright Stars, which has seen pupils at schools across Cumbria working with businesses to create their own mini business.

Jenny Nolan of Great Orton Primary School said: "The campaign began with the composition of an inspirational song 'Come outside and Fly'.

"The children composed all the lyrics themselves and their mentor helped with the melody.

"The children then performed their song to the local residents who warmly welcomed the lovely thought and enjoyed talking to the children about their lives and experiences in the village and at Great Orton Primary school over 80 years ago.

"On arrival back at school, the children could not wait to inform the Head Teacher, Mrs Bellas, as to how they felt that they really had made a difference within the local community.

"The smiles created by this event, were contagious and heartfelt."

Bright Stars Primary Campaign 2021 is centred on the theme of 'making a difference', and pupils at Great Orton Primary School have been working with Soundwave Cumbria to deliver their vision.

The children were also lucky enough to receive a video call from Carlisle MP, John Stevenson, for a Q and A session.

On why the children decided on particular direction of their 'make a difference' project, Ms Nolan said: "Our children missed the weekly community lunches, in which pensioners from the village, would enjoy lunch and talk to them.

"Throughout, the national lockdown, our children have been thinking about our local residents and were wondering how they were getting on.

"The children created a business logo, which depicts a tree and sound waves, to celebrate the partnership with business and developed a timetable of activities to be held within the local village aimed at combatting isolation and loneliness."

The pupils were given a £50 start-up budget as part of the Bright Stars programme to use for their campaign.

The next stage of the campaign will see the children at Great Orton Primary School litter- picking in the village, setting up a ‘pop up’ art gallery and cake baking to continue to bring the community together.