ROYAL Mail are being replaced in Rhu this Christmas... by generous young volunteers wanting to deliver your festive messages.

Primary pupils in the village are asking residents to chose them as their posties in a new project to raise funds for the school.

Dubbed 'Rhu'll Mail', the idea is simple: drop off your festive cards and greetings to two special post boxes in the village. And instead of paying postage, you can donate 50p, more or less, and all funds will go to the school.

Pupils will then take on the task of delivering all the mail to residents of Rhu, Shandon, Garelochhead, Helensburgh and the wider peninsula.

Post boxes will be available from Friday, November 22 at Rhu and Shandon Parish Church and at Rhu Primary reception. They will be emptied on Mondays and Fridays with December 13 at 3pm the last day for posting.

Delivery will be guaranteed by Friday, December 20.

Charmaine Ferguson, Rhu Primary School Association (RPSA) co-chairperson, said: "We’re delighted to be raising much needed funds for our school.

"And while the recommended donation is 50p for each card, there is neither expectation nor maximum contribution. Residents chose the donation they can afford and in return their cards will be delivered with a big smile and a host of festive community cheer."

The RPSA is also running a tombola and raffle during the Rhu Christmas lights switch-on next week on November 29. Everyone is invited down to say hello.

They are also still looking for more raffle donations to join prizes such as an afternoon tea at Rosslea Hall Hotel, a £30 voucher for Rhu Inn, a month's gym membership to The Journey in Helensburgh, and a voucher for The Christmas Shoppe in the town.

If any local businesses would like to donate to the raffle, email Shellie Montgomery on rpsarhu@gmail.com.

The RPSA run fund-raising events throughout the year and recently had a bake sale bringing in £400, then a Hallowe'en movie night that raised another £315.

All the money goes back into the school and nearly £1,700 this academic year has replaced a HT whiteboard for the P2 class. They hope their continued efforts will help fund new tablets for P1-P7 classes, as well as essential supplies such as P1-P3 reading books.