Parents were invited to a coffee morning on Thursday to find out about the savings club that encourages children to bring their pocket money to school each week to go into their accounts with the credit union.

Headteacher Gill Austerfield said the children had been very enthusiastic about the scheme, and about the goody-bags and certificates they were given with membership.

Several staff members and parents have also opened accounts.

Josie Procter, who works for the credit union helping set up such clubs, said: “Forty-four children at Asquith signed up and we collected £196 but it’s not about the money really, it is about encouraging the children to save.

“It doesn’t have to be much but just gets them into the habit of saving, even if it’s only 10p a week.”

She added that the idea has “really taken off”, with 58 Leeds schools already running clubs and many more lining up to join in.

In the Morley area Westerton and Hilltop primary schools already have savings clubs, Blackgates is to start one next week and she is confident others will follow suit.

The saving clubs are run by volunteers and allow children to put money in every week without having to make a special trip to a credit union branch.

If they want to get their money out again however they will have to visit the credit union which has its Morley branch at the One Stop Shop in Morley Town Hall.

It is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 8.30am-4pm. Wednesdays from 8.30am-3pm and Thursdays and Fridays from 8.30am-5pm.