New headteacher Karen Ashton had no problem encouraging her charges to chatter away to improve their communication skills and raise money for charity.

Karen is the new head of Muriel Green Nursery School in Church Crescent, St Albans, and one of her first tasks was to oversee the children taking part in I CAN’s Chatterbox Challenge.

In front of families and carers the youngsters, aged from 10 months to four years, sang songs and rhymes including Hickory, Dickory Dock and Old MacDonald had a Farm.

As well as improving their communication skills, they were raising money for I CAN’s work with children who struggle to communicate as well as helping towards the cost of cooking equipment for the nursery.

Karen said: “The children and adults all had a fantastic time dressing up and taking part in our Chatterbox Challenge. By developing our children’s speaking, listening and understanding skills, we are ensuring they have the best start to develop the skills needed to make friends and learn at school.

““I am really looking forward to having more events with all the children and parents involved.”