PUPILS from a Hampshire school were so moved by images of the destruction following the Boxing Day tsunami, they decided to take action.

Pupils at Bartley Junior School have raised more than £3,000 and filled dozens of boxes with toiletries, food and other necessities.

Deputy head teacher Karen Stonehouse said: "The children came back to school after Christmas and said they wanted to do something to help."

Ismail Ibrahim, an MP from the Maldives, visited the school to congratulate the youngsters.

He said: "I am here to say a very big thank you to the children for doing so much to help.

"The Maldives were badly affected by the tsunami and the children were particularly hard hit. Their lives have been totally disrupted and one of the saddest things is that the children are afraid to swim in the sea now."

Friends of Maldives based in Millbrook, Southampton, will be sending the supplies collected to the islands.