Christmas came early for 85 children in a Nigerian orphanage when they were kitted out with school uniform donated by the Friends of Brentwood School (FoBS).

The youngsters, aged between two and 13 and living at the Home of God’s Grace Orphanage, all looked incredibly smart in their new clothes. FoBS, an association of parents and teachers at Brentwood School, also covered the £684 cost of shipping the uniforms to Nigeria.

The King's Family Care Foundation (TKFCare), which supports the orphanage, said: “We can't put into words the expressions on the children's faces and the gratitude that continually flowed from their mouths and hearts when they received the clothing.

“It was more than Christmas come early for them...it was as a true blessing from heaven. TKFCare can never thank you enough FoBS for this life-changing experience you gave to these children.”

Young children arriving at the orphanage stay there until they are old enough to move on to employment or, in some cases, university.

Parents Rebecca Eastwood and Laura Jeyibo had the task of sifting through donated uniform and putting together sets of clothing for the 85 children.

Mrs Jeyibo said: “The smiles on their faces are priceless.”