CHILDREN at a Stourport school are busily working to ensure rotten rodents do not ruin one of the attractions for this year's Christmas lights and parade in the town.

Lickhill Middle School youngsters are still putting the finishing touches to their repair work on the Three Kings models they are restoring.

The nine-foot high models are always part of the annual parade through town centre streets, which this year takes place on November 24.

However, they were in a sorry state when they were delivered to the school after rats had gnawed and nibbled away at them in the storeroom they were being kept in.

Headteacher Graham McDonald said: "The children are doing a wonderful job and are determined the Kings will look perfect for the big day.

"The models looked a bit worse for wear when they arrived here so the effort of the children has definitely been worthwhile."

The Three Kings parade will be led by town mayor Reg Knott, a juggler and a fire-eater.

Music groups will also be among the attractions when the £50,000 lights are switched on.

But Lickhill Middle School's involvement does not end there, as its steel band will also be performing on the big day, when Kidderminster Harriers manager Jan Molby will join Mr Knott for the switch-on and Christmas tree in Villeneuve-le-Roi Gardens at 6.30pm.