The start of a new academic year often brings with it the traditional school photos that often get treasured for years. While some youngsters revel in having the camera focused on them, others shy away.
However, one mum received a complete shock when she was expecting a sweet picture of son Zachary, then aged three, in his first year at nursery in 2017. Zach, now eight, had other ideas, as he instead sent his toy dog Jimmy to be photographed instead.
Lucy, 39, from Todmorden in West Yorkshire said she found the photo "adorable", and now brings it into school every year. After posting it online this year, the mum-of-three received thousands of likes and comments from equally amused parents.
"You're not normally allowed toys at school, but Zach had quite a lot of separation anxiety when he first went to school aged three," Lucy said. "He was allowed to carry it around with him in lessons and in the school day to make him feel more comfortable.
"When it came to school photo day in 2017 I did say to the teachers, I wasn't sure if he would be okay with the photos being taken. When I went to pick him up from school later that day though the teachers said that he had refused to be pictured.
"Then when the photos were sent to everyone, I got one that was just a photo of Jimmy - which I obviously bought and kept. So now the only photo I have of my eldest in his first year at nursery is this hilarious photo of Jimmy.
"Every year when it comes up it tickles me, I had to buy the photo when I saw it - especially as he's still got Jimmy now. My youngest is having his first-ever school photos this week too and I brought in the pictures - the teachers found them very funny, we all had a good laugh.
"It's just an adorable little story really."
