Keighley schoolchildren will be keeping it zipped' later this month to help people living with cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support is encouraging teachers and schoolchildren to take part in its 12th annual sponsored silence - The Big Hush' - next Friday. This marks the end of Cancertalk Week, which aims to get young people talking and learning more about cancer in school. Money raised by children taking part in The Big Hush will go directly to Macmillan, which provides practical and emotional support for people with cancer.

So far, Braithwaite School and Our Lady of Victories Primary School have signed up to be a part of the challenge.

Heather Read, assistant head teacher at Braithwaite School, said one class of ten 12-year-old pupils would be doing its best to stay silent as long as possible.

"We haven't quite decided how long we're going to try for," she said. "It'll be a bit of fun, and the pupils will be doing something good for someone else at the same time."

Schools wanting information or a teaching pack should phone 0845 6011716.