A SCHOOL in Urmston has raised an impressive £13,000 to go towards brand new playground facilities.

Highfield Primary School on Bridgenorth Avenue was then awarded a further £4,000 to develop this initiative by Royal Bank of Scotland's RBS Supergrounds' investment scheme. Supergrounds is a £6m, six year community project that takes nominations for any school that wants to improve its play facilities.

The school raised money through bingo nights, showing films and its summer and Christmas fairs to take the total up to £17,000 including the grant.

Co-ordinator and class teacher, Claire Brown, said: "The staff and children are extremely excited about the redvelopment of the school playground. It was way back in March 2007 that the children were asked to consider their ideal playground. They're very enthusiastic to see some of their wishes become reality over the next nine months."

Some of the ideas the children contributed to the proposal included new football facilities, a quiet seated zone, a garden, adventure trail, bridges and beams.

Claire explained how this will be the second phase of the project, the first having been the development of an early years outdoor play area for the reception class with a soft surface, climbing frame, slide and mini road track.

The Supergrounds scheme aims to strengthen community ties and has already benefited 450 schools across the UK. Highfield became involved with the project through RBS employee Michelle Adams who chairs the PTA.

Headteacher, Charles Parfitt, said: "We're really pleased the bid has been successful. It will make the playground environment a great experience for the children that come to school here."

Work on the playground will start at the end of April and is expected to be completed by late summer.

hannah.al-taraboulsy@ messengernewspapers.co.uk