DOUGHNUTS, biscuits and little cupcakes have been dished out on doorsteps throughout Witney, delighting surprised locals.

Resident Muriel Banfield said she was so happy to open her door and find a little pack of homemade biscuits with two tea bags.

The surprise package was put together by Year 8 pupils at Henry Box secondary school, as part of their personal development day.

Mrs Banfield said: "How lovely of students. Others received doughnuts or balloons, all free, just to make Witney people happy.

"I really appreciated this good will gesture - it made Witney a happy place to be in. So a big thanks to all concerned."

More than 200 students at Henry Box - aged 12 to 13 - learnt about building character strengths such as grit, gratitude, curiosity and zest, to help them achieve in later life.

They took part in various projects, chosen by themselves, and one group decided to hand deliver gifts to nearby residents.

Neighbours, and the ambulance service, were overjoyed to be presented with small gifts and messages from the students as a way to say thank you for all the work they do in the community.

PA to the headteacher Eileen Bourton said there was a real buzz in the town during the experiment, prompting many to comment on social media how they appreciated the gestures made by the students.

She said: "Other projects included bake sales for charity, a sponsored six mile walk, litter picking and tough but inspiring physical training sessions courtesy of Corporals D. Gillis and P. Guillois from RAF Brize Norton.

"Students thoroughly enjoyed not only the challenge of designing and delivering their projects, but also developing their chosen character strength and are now motivated and inspired to carry these strengths through in their academic studies and in other areas of their lives."