WORDSLEY schoolchildren received the stamp of approval after helping raise funds for a charity that trains hearing dogs.

Youngsters at Ashwood Park Primary School have been watching out for the postman and sifting through the mail to find stamps to recycle in aid of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Dudley Deaf Children’s Society began the task of collecting the stamps earlier this year and asked if pupils at the Bells Lane school would like to help.

Teacher Dawn Bevington, said: "We have been overwhelmed. The children have really enjoyed the project and it has given them an awareness of the value of a hearing dog, something they may wish to consider in their future lives."

The charity's community fundraising manager, Vicky Ryan, visited the school, which has a resource base for children with severe and profound hearing loss, to collect the stamps and tell the pupils how the charity trains dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds and danger signals.

Children were also introduced to Dorree, the four-legged companion of Howard Hodgkisson.

Shelagh James of Dudley Deaf Children’s Society added: "Dorree really impressed the children and Howard gave them a really positive outlook as a deaf adult leading a very full and busy life.

"We hope we can continue to support this worthy cause."