AN INNOVATIVE pilot scheme to raise extra funds for schools has been launched in Basingstoke.

Loyalty card programme "Our School", which made its national debut in Basingstoke this week, is designed to help both local schools and businesses.

The scheme works by issuing parents with Our School loyalty cards, which they present when buying items from a participating retailer. A percentage of the cost is donated to the parent's choice of school.

So far three primary schools in the Basingstoke area have signed up to the scheme - Great Binfields in Chineham, Chalk Ridge in Brighton Hill, and Preston Candover.

Simon Cushing, headteacher at Great Binfields, said: "The reality is that schools are under funded, and any way of getting supplem-entary income is always welcome.

"We have 170 pupils so if the parents' purchases made just £2 a year each, that would be an extra £340 we could use for a luxury resource, something we couldn't normally afford."

He added that any extra funding Great Binfields received would go towards developing the outside environment at the school into a woodland resource for learning.

More than 30 businesses in Basingstoke have joined the scheme, which they hope will encourage parents to use their products and services.

Richard Hawkins, who owns InkXpress in Church Street, said: "I think it's a good thing for the community for people to be able to help their schools and work with local businesses. We thought this was a good way to give some money to the schools, and also promote our business."

An average of seven per cent of the sale value will be donated to Our School, which will dish out the cash each term.

The scheme, which has been running successfully in South Africa for a number of years, was founded in Britain by Dianne Brak, a South African ex-patriot.

She said: "If I can do my everyday shopping and help the school my children attend, it's so easy, and could make a big difference."

If successful, the programme will be rolled out in towns across the county.

Hampshire's education chief, Cllr Don Allen, said: "I consider this to be a scheme which governing bodies should look at and consider whether they feel it would be appropriate for their school.

"Clearly they need to consider the potential financial benefits they may receive and the additional administrative work associated with setting up and maintaining the scheme."