YOUNGSTERS at Upton Primary School have been collecting letters from famous people as part of a school project.

The children of Class IV, aged eight and nine, have been studying letter-writing as part of their literacy work, and teacher Emma Friend encouraged them to write letters to well-known people.

Among those who have replied have been the Queen, or at least one of her ladies-in-waiting, David Beckham and Tony Blair.

The casts of favourite TV shows such as Blue Peter, Eastenders, Holby City and Casualty also replied, and pop stars like Gareth Gates and Darius sent in autographs.

"It's gone about a million times better than I expected," said Emma.