PRIMARY school pupils were over the moon when two Hull City stars called in to help with their Christmas shoebox collection.

Tigers players James Harper and Robert Koren visited Bricknell Avenue Primary, west Hull, to help collect 370 Christmas shoeboxes for East Yorkshire charity Real Aid.

The midfield duo said they were delighted to help out with the collection of gift boxes destined for impoverished children in west Africa and eastern Europe.

Slovenian international Koren, 30, who is City's top scorer, said: "It's an honour for me to be part of this.

"All the kids have made a great effort, I was very chuffed to be asked to come along.

"This will make some kids happy in other countries, it's a big thing for the school to do."

Koren's teammate James Harper, 30, whose mother was born in Ghana, is delighted to see some of the aid going to west Africa.

He said: "Some of the shoeboxes are going to Sierra Leonne, obviously it will make some kids very happy.

"It's a really good cause, it will make the world of difference to someone."

The school's international co-ordinator, teacher Debra Wheatley, said pupils put in an extra effort to beat last year's shoebox total after hearing Hull City players would be supporting Real Aid's appeal.

She said: "We told the children that if we got 100 shoeboxes we may get some Hull City players to visit.

"In the end we got 370 shoeboxes which was fantastic.

"The atmosphere was just electric when the players came into the school.

"They are good, positive role models for the children.

"It's great to see local community sportsmen interested in good causes overseas."

It is the fourth year that Hull City has supported the Tickton-based charity's annual appeal.

Last year the charity delivered more than 4,000 gift boxes thanks to kind-hearted donors across East Yorkshire, including 75 schools.

This year's appeal runs until December 10.

See the pictures of James Harper and Robert Koren with the pupils...click here