AS schools went back after the summer holidays on Wednesday and some children started school for the first time, a little Lochgelly girl entered the primary stage to the delight of her family.

Ava Stark had her first day at Lumphinnans Primary, another milestone as she continues her journey after having successfully had her stem cell transplant.

Former Times/Dunfermline Press Little Community Champion of the Year, Ava, who has been the face of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust appeal for stem cell donors, was desperately looking forward to her first day at school.

Said her mum, Marie, on Facebook: "The school may not be ready for her BUT she's 100% ready for school!"

As most parents across Fife breathed a collective sigh of relief that the school holidays are over, for many parents there were mixed emotions as their children started school for the first time.

Within the next few weeks the Times will be going around the area's 17 primary schools to feature the 'new kids on the block.'

One of those parents who took a child to school for the first time was Cllr Fay Sinclair, convener of the Education and Children's Services Committee, who dropped her second son off to start his first day at Carnegie Primary School, in Dunfermline.