Truepath Services, which is run by Linda Beckett, has brought back the tradition of the 'rag-and-bone man' and uses a horse and cart to collect old clothes from people in the Buckingham area.

Last week, Ms Beckett took her horse, Jay Jay, down to the school to collect 150 bags of unwanted clothes, around one-and-a-half tonnes. In return, she gave the school £375.

Ms Beckett said: "The children were incredible and they absolutely loved it – they thought it was Father Christmas!

"They want to do it again. We have also been to Grenville Combined School this week and we would like to get every single school involved in Buckingham."

She added she wanted the pupils to understand more about the recycling element of her business, as the clothes she collects are exported to Third World and poor countries to be resold.

She is also taking part in this year's Christmas Parade in Buckingham on Saturday, December 13.

Her business has been running since 2004. Truepath Services pays £2.50 a bag, or unwanted items can also be left at Truepath Services collection bins at Ardley Fields Recycling Centre in Bicester, at Buckingham Industrial Park, and in Rabans Lane in Aylesbury.