A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl has been tallying up funding for her school ahead of its summer fair this weekend.

Millie helped parents sell raffle tickets for Symondsbury Primary School's summer fair and grand raffle - raising £100 in one hour at Groves Nursery. Millie also managed to sell 40 hand-painted "pebble pets" that the school's art club had created.

Millie's mum, Vicki, said: "We're raising money to improve the playground at Symondsbury School and Millie is really excited about this.

"She very politely and confidently approached customers at Groves asking if they would support the school by buying a raffle ticket or one of our pebble pets and it would seem that few people were able to resist her patter."

More than £250 during the day. The pebble pets are one of the many ways the school is hoping to raise money at the event on Saturday (1) from 1pm until 4pm.

Live music will be provided by local singer songwriter Mutter Slater, saxophonist Clive Ashley and guitarist Chris Cleaver from the Mutter Slater band, while pupils will also be performing a range of musical and dance numbers. As well as a barbecue, ice-cream, refreshments and cakes, there will be a range of bouncy castles.

The highlight of the afternoon will be the drawing of the grand summer raffle at 3.30pm, which this year offers a first prize of £100 cash courtesy of Nantes Solicitors. Prizes also include cream tea for two at The Bull Hotel and at Eype Mouth Hotel, free fitness sessions, a voucher to spend at Baboo Gelato in West Bay and a family ticket to the Tank Museum.

Chairman of the Friends of Symondsbury School, Cat Woolner, said: "Once again we are bowled over by the support shown for Symondsbury by local businesses and our own parents and friends.

"Thank you to everyone who helps us, and especially to Groves and their lovely customers who made us welcome and, of course, to Millie for such a tremendous effort."

She added: "We're opening earlier this year at 1pm so people can come and enjoy the barbecue for lunch and have plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere and browse the stalls and activities.

"Everyone is welcome and we're hoping we will raise £1,500 towards the school playground refurbishment."

Headteacher Emma Roberts said: "I am blown away at how hard our friends group have worked to put together such a brilliant sounding summer fair - I can't wait for it.

"The money raised will have such a huge impact on the pupils at our school, helping us pay for some really exciting refurbishment to our playground, including new play equipment and some new zones that will give children the chance to play and learn outside in lots of different ways. Thank you to everyone who has already supported the Fair and the Raffle and thank you in advance to everyone who we hope will come along on Saturday."