A DARWEN primary school teacher has raised money for charity by knitting toy penguins.

Michelle Farnworth, who teaches the ash class at St Peter’s CofE Primary School, in Turncroft Road, created ‘Monty’ penguins which which were sold to other members of staff as gifts for children.

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Mrs Farnworth collected £84 by selling the cuddly toys, which was donated to the Royal British Legion.

Acting head teacher Victoria Weddle said in a newsletter to parents: “Mrs Farnworth was very busy before Christmas knitting Monty penguins as gifts for children.

“She sold them to members of staff and raised £84, which was donated to the Royal British Legion in honour of the work that they do to support our Armed Forces.”

Monty-mania swept Britain as cuddly toys of the penguin star of John Lewis’ heartwarming Christmas ad sold out in 24 hours.

Cheeky entrepreneurs were trying to cash in on the craze by selling this year’s must-have for almost £500 on auction website eBay.

Parents desperate to get their hands on plush penguin Monty for Christmas, were faced with rip-off price tags six times higher than the toy would cost in stores.

The publicity featured the Beatles song Real Love, which was covered by Tom Odell. The amount Darwen has raised for the Royal British Legion has now reached £18,184.