THE excitement of Christmas started early at Grove Infant School on Portland with the four to seven year old pupils preparing their Christmas boxes for Link Romania.

The Christian-based charity was established in Worthing in 1991 and is commited to improving the standard of life for families living in acute poverty in Romania and Albania.

Grove Infant School head teacher Jane Hurdiss said: "Link Romania has sent our children a DVD on their work and our children have thoroughly enjoyed preparing the boxes."

They also enjoyed meeting Wareham couple Mr and Mrs Holloway who visited the school to collect the shoe boxes which will be shipped off in time for Christmas.