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A primary school opened its doors to serve 800 Christmas dinners and hand presents to underprivileged youngsters.

Staff volunteered to serve a hot meal to 328 pupils and their families today.

The school serves one of the largest council estates in Europe and an area in the top 1% in England for deprivation.

Only a third of working-age adults have jobs and three-quarters of pupils qualify for the pupil premium - extra money given to schools from the Government to support the poorest children.

(Image: SWNS)

Chris Dyson, who took over five years ago as headteacher at Parklands Primary School in Leeds, West Yorkshire, said he was “heartbroken” to discover some children had never met Father Christmas or received gifts.

Mr Dyson said: “It’s every child’s right to see Santa, and I thought if you can’t go to see him, I’ll bring him to you.

“I decided to have a party on Christmas Eve, or Christmas Eve eve, whichever was more convenient for staff to come in - unpaid - and help out.”

(Image: SWNS)

Mr Dyson’s initiative saw 150 people attend the first party six years ago. The number doubled the following year and continues to grow.

The events have been backed with donations from local business and Leeds City Council.

“Christmas is a vulnerable time for families, its cold and for some people it is the only hot meal they will get this week” said Mr Dyson.

And he added: “It’s a great day for everyone, and it’s not just for kids in our school. It’s for the entire community, anyone can come and they all do.

“Our first year we had a lot of kids who didn’t come to our school come round, and I said Santa doesn’t turn people away. So we just welcomed everyone.

“Schools are all shut round the country, but not us. We want our community to know we love them, and they deserve that extra love and attention and we endeavour to stay open as much as we can.”