SCHOOLCHILDREN dressed as 18th-century paupers for the filming of a documentary about an undiscovered hero.

Youngsters from St Philomena's RC Primary School will star in a programme about the little-known Thomas Coram, who set up London's first children's home.

The Man Who Saved Children dramatises the life of Coram, who was so appalled by the plight of abandoned children, he established the Foundling Hospital in 1739.

Coram, a retired sea captain, made friends with the artist William Hogarth, who helped him set up the home and donated works of art to hang on the walls.

The first public art gallery in Britain, the hospital is credited with being the inspiration for the Royal Academy.

Although it was demolished in the 1920s its treasures were saved and the Foundling Museum was set up in London in 1998.

Filmed at Chelsea Hospital, the 90-minute drama will be shown on Channel 4 tomorrow (Thursday) at 9pm, in the first of a five-part series called Georgian Underworld.