Residents at a Winchester dementia care home have joined forces with schoolchildren to spread happiness in their neighbourhood.

An arts and crafts session at Colten Care’s St Catherines View, in Stanmore Lane, saw young guests from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School meet and chat with residents.

Together, they created a series of bookmarks to distribute freely to the community, inspired by World Kindness Day.

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Some of the gifts were hung from tree branches, gates and lamppostsSome of the gifts were hung from tree branches, gates and lampposts (Image: Colten Care) Companionship team leader Laura Sheldrake laminated the bookmarks and placed them in clear bags, along with a trolley coin and a note that read: "Enjoy this bookmark designed by a child at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School.

"Happy World Kindness Day."

Residents also crocheted heart keyrings and packaged them as 'pocket hugs' along with a note and cookies, homemade by St Catherines View chef Gaby Popovici.

Laura and resident Gill Swaby then ventured out with 11 children from the school and headteacher Louise Buxton.

They carefully hung some of the gifts from tree branches, gates and lampposts, and handed others to surprised and delighted passers-by.

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Gifts were handed others to surprised and delighted passers-byGifts were handed to surprised and delighted passers-by (Image: Colten Care) As she took part, Gill said: "This is a fantastic idea and the children are so good, they are making people smile."

One recipient posted a message to the school’s Parent Teacher Association, saying: "What a lovely random act of kindness to come home to.

"A big thanks to St Peter’s Catholic Primary School and St Catherines View for this delightful initiative. I love my new bookmark."

A staff member from the school, who found a bag left on her car, emailed Louise to say: "Thank you to whoever left this for me to find at the end of the day.

"To say I was very surprised and overwhelmed is an understatement."

Companion Laura said: "It was great to go out in the community and be joined by the children.

"Gill loved helping them hang and give out the gifts.

"The school have been amazing in helping us build a fantastic connection.

"Mrs Buxton has been a driving force, making sure we keep the connection going."