DELIGHTED young fundraisers from a Hampshire school were rewarded for their hard work by getting to meet their Saints hero James Beattie.

In one huge class effort, pupils from Year 4 of Durlston Court Prep School at Barton on Sea in the New Forest raised £620 for the Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington.

They were part of a Kicking for Oakhaven contest set up by the hospice to see which school could collect the most cash.

The class of eight and nine-year-olds organised sponsored car washes for their teachers, a sponsored silence and collected loose change to go towards the Oakhaven In-Patient Unit.

As deserving winners of the football-themed competition, they were treated to a trip to St Mary's Stadium to be awarded certificates by Beattie himself.

Pupils from another class at the school who had been competing were invited along in recognition of their hard work.

Beattie, who also signed the children's footballs and shirts, said: "I am delighted that the schools have got behind raising money for Oakhaven Hospice and the vital work that they do to support our community."

Teacher Sarah Evans said: "It has been great. All the children worked hard and we've had a lot of fun."

An incredible £4,000 was collected to help the hospice care for over 500 terminally ill patients each year.