THE head teacher of Ilkley's Ashlands First School has praised the Dunkirk spirit of all those who answered her appeal to help 170 very chilly children in need.

It seems if your own school is out of action in Ilkley the best thing to do is to pop round to a neighbouring school and use theirs - providing they are out for the day that is.

Glenys Lofthouse endured a day never to forget as she was faced with an icy school and no time to inform parents that lessons were off for the day.

Mrs Lofthouse's nightmare started on Wednesday evening when she realised the school's heating system was having a serious off day.

"I have lost count of the number of times we have had problems, but we had to think quickly about what to do," she said.

Several frantic phone calls later and Mrs Lofthouse had a solution to her heating crisis.

Fortunately for her, Thursday was a staff training day at Ilkley Grammar School.

This meant there were no pupils in school and therefore, the classrooms were all empty.

Mrs Lofthouse was faced with two choices. She could turn the children away from school on Thursday morning or tell them they were going to spend a day at the big school.

"The parents have had to put up with the heating situation more than once, so I think a lot of them were quite amused when they read the guess what notice I had stuck on the entrance," she said.

Parents bombarded Mrs Lofthouse with offers of transport as the school literally upped and left for the day.

Far from grumbling about their ordeal, 170 cold, wet but very excited children, prepared themselves for the walk from Ashlands School in Leeds Road, via Railway Road, the Railway Bridge and Springs Lane, to the bottom entrance of Ilkley Grammar School.

"As you can see (our reporter accompanied them on their journey) they are all really excited.

"I know one child who found out about the plan last night, was so excited she had all her clothes laid out the night before and was up really early this morning," said Mrs Lofthouse.

As well as praising Ilkley Grammar School head teacher Peter Wood for his generosity, Mrs Lofthouse also revealed how another school in the Ilkley pyramid had quickly offered to help.

"Mrs Davies at Bolling Road First School suggested we stop off for a cup of coffee on our way to the grammar school," said the Ashlands head teacher.

"I said to the children in assembly this morning that it would be one of those days they wouldn't forget in a hurry, I certainly won't," she said.

Mrs Lofthouse said the prospect of large tables and chairs did not worry her.

"The teacher who was scheduled to be on duty at break wasn't too happy with prospect.

"I think she was worried she might lose them in such a big place."

Mrs Lofthouse praised her staff for their handling of the situation.

"We have a saying in the staff room. When the wind of change comes, some people build walls.

"Some people make windmills. That's us, we're always ready to change," she said.

"I suppose you have to laugh, today was supposed to be our open day believe it or not," said Mrs Lofthouse.

The mayhem certainly proved a real eye-opener for the American students currently based at Ashlands.

Michelle Abate, 25, from Massachusetts, said: "This is certainly a different way of spending Thanksgiving.

"I wish I was back home in bed," she joked.

Fortunately, Ashlands Grammar School was only a one-off experience and the youngsters were back on home territory the next day.

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