LONELY pupils at Blackrod Primary School have been given buddy benches aimed at encouraging other children to offer them the hand of friendship.

Any child who feels lonely or has nobody to play with at lunch or playtimes is approached by trained buddies, including Cydnie Owen, aged nine, Megan Adamson, aged 10, Bethany Jones, aged 11, and Luke Bridges, aged 10, pictured from left.

The buddies have been trained by deputy headteacher and project co-ordinator Louise Minton.

The school has two buddy benches, donated by Horwich businessman Vince Russell, of Crown Garden Leisure.