CHILDREN at Darnhall Primary School are enjoying a new outdoor play area with state-of-the-art equipment after receiving a £10,000 lottery grant.

The school, in Sandyhill Road, Winsford, secured a National Lottery grant called ‘Awards for All’ in January.

The grant has now been used to develop the early years outdoor play and creative ideas area, which is now fully built and available for children to play on every day.

Elizabeth Hulse, assistant head teacher and early years leader, was pleased to see the foundation stage area finally developed after obtaining the grant so that the children could benefit from a range of new apparatus.

“We would like to thank the National Lottery for their support in helping to widen the children’s experiences through this wonderful new resource for our school,” said Elizabeth.

The money has been used to develop the early years outside space which is used for children between two and five years old.

The children now have a new large wooden house with chalk board, music panel, sand and water trays, mud pit, mud kitchen with chalk board, story corner and the children’s favourite - a wooden wigwam.

Elizabeth added: “Through the new equipment the children have already shown more creativity, telling stories and developing imaginative play.

“The children really have taken full advantage for their new equipment in such a short space of time.

“The area is also used by after school clubs and the school have events planned to involve the local community.”

In giving reason for awarding the grant, the Big Lottery Fund stated that the outdoor play area funded by the grant would ‘raise aspirations and self-esteem of children through increased development skills.’