January 23, 2001 9:26: THE cross-country team at Perry Hall Primary School, in Orpington, got off to a flying start when the children put on their new kit.

The shorts, shirts and sweaters worth £400 were donated to the team of 25 by Transco after PE co-ordinator Giles Platt sent out a letter to parents asking for help.

Mr Platt said: The call from Transco came out of the blue and it was a very welcome call to take.

The school has also won a £4,000 grant from the millennium fund so the school can extend sports into the community as a whole.