HOLMES Chapel Primary School has anticipated a hotter than usual summer again this year, and is offering hats for the first time as part of its uniform.

The initiative led by the PTA at the school in Middlewich Road provides a choice of three school hats for pupils to wear.

There are summer hats to keep the sun off, with or without neck protection, as well as a woolly hat for winter in partnership with local uniform supplier for 20 years, Sam Dale & Son.

The shop is donating £1 to the school for every hat sold.

A winner from each class was awarded a free hat to celebrate their arrival in a competition to design a sun safety poster.

Headteacher Fiona Gresty said: "We are delighted to have added these lovely school hats to our uniform.

"The designs are modern and smart, but most importantly the summer hats will protect our students from the sun.

"Wearing a sun-protective hat is a simple and effective strategy for reducing ultraviolet radiation to the face, head and neck and preventing sunstroke."