A GROUND-BREAKING collaboration has produced a striking corporate Christmas card for a Bolton law firm.

Keoghs at Lostock is an enthusiastic participant in the Adopt a School initiative launched in March this year by the Bolton & Bury Education Business Partnership.

Time spent with Keoghs' school -- Bury Church of England High -- led to a competition in which 39 fourth year students submitted Christmas card designs.

Senior management eventually chose the one produced by 14-year-old Jenny Duthie. Gareth Williams, Partner at Keoghs and a former pupil at the school, said: "We are always looking at new ways to involve children in the business and I thought the idea of the card would give the students an opportunity to do this."

Adopt a School, an idea which has worked successfully in Memphis, Tennessee for more than 20 years, has already transferred successfully to Nottingham.

Bolton & Bury Education Business Partnership -- a subsidiary of the Chamber of Commerce -- has been delighted with the response from firms since the local launch at the Last Drop.

The initiative allows employee volunteers to go into their adopted school on a regular basis to offer support of their choice which matches the needs of the school with the employee's skills and interests.

It is a chance for employees to make a difference by helping schools and it also gives firms the opportunity to improve employee motivation and career development.

More information on Adopt A School is available from Louise Silous on 01204 375790.