ROYAL mail took on a whole new meaning for children at Sunny Bank Primary School.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were so impressed by the letters they received from Year Five pupils at the school in Hathaway Road that they sent personal responses and colour photographs to each of the 31 children.

The youngsters were learning about aspects of persuasive writing as part of their literacy lessons.

To test the effectiveness, they decided to write to William and Kate to try to persuade them to 'walk the perimeter' of their future kingdom.

Headteacher Mike Green said: “The children wrote about the health benefits of walking, the opportunity to see the sights and the chance to learn more about the cultures and traditions of the different coastal counties in the UK.

“They explained that they could do different segments of the walk over the coming decades and that Kate and William could one day go down in history as the King and Queen who walked their kingdom.”

To make sure the couple received the letters, copies were dispatched to royal palaces and even Kate’s parents’ family home near Reading.

So, weeks later, when the children received luxurious cream-coloured envelopes, embossed with the stamp of St James’s Palace, they were delighted.

The Duke and Duchess responded to individual points raised by the children and even shared information about how they enjoy walking, especially with their dog, Lupo.

Mr Green said: “At best, we were expecting one standard short letter from a secretary, but we are all so impressed by the thought, time and letter that obviously went into the replies.”