CHEQUES totalling £2,288 were presented this week to a dozen schools as a result of the TwoCanDo charity partnership second-hand book sale in October.

The schools will spend the money on new books.

The initiative was the first fundraiser to be run by the partnership, which involves Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel, Thornbury Lions Club and the Gazette.

It resulted in the donation of an estimated 10,000 unwanted books for the mammoth sale staged at Tortworth Court.

Schools in the Gazette circulation areas were then invited to bid for grants. All the schools which did so were awarded funds, with most receiving at least what they asked for.

Successful schools were Cam House School, Dursley; St Mary's Primary, Thornbury; Manorbrook Primary, Thornbury; Hillesley Primary; Brimsham Green School, Yate; Rednock School, Dursley; Crossways Junior, Thornbury; Tortworth Primary; Mulberry Tree Steiner Kindergarten, Cromhall; Crosssways Infant, Thornbury; North Road Primary, Yate; and Everlands Primary, Cam.

The presentations took place at Tortworth Court on Tuesday where representatives were welcomed by Gazette editor David Cullimore, with Four Pillars sales director Vicky Begley handing out the cheques. A number of Thornbury Lions also attended.