THE legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games is continuing to flourish at a Newton Aycliffe school where a new outdoor gym is proving a big hit with youngsters.

Walworth Special School received a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery Awards for All scheme to install eight pieces of gym equipment on its sports field.

It is the latest in a series of improvements to the field, which now includes a long jump pit and high jump equipment.

Moving inside there is further evidence of the school’s commitment to healthy living, with two indoor gyms containing everything from mini treadmills to exercise bikes.

Paul Mansfield, senior residential childcare officer at Walworth Special School, said exercise and healthy eating were especially beneficial to children with emotional and behavioural problems.

“It is something we really promote here, especially since the London Olympics,” he said. “We encourage our residential children to exercise as it helps them let off steam and burn energy.

“The new gym equipment will also help children improve their co-ordination skills as it involves moving arms and legs at the same time.”

Mr Mansfield, who lobbied for the funding alongside Michelle Postma, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon extended schools co-ordinator, said the gym was already a talking point among the children.

“This is the first group to use the equipment as we only finished it a week ago and the weather has not been very good,” he said.

“The children are very excited and I am sure it will be well-used.”

The school has also renewed its plea for help to repair the £20,000 running and cycling track which surrounds the field.

The all-weather track was rendered useless within a year after the surface became spongy and large cracks formed.

Last June, the school, which caters for 72 children with special needs, contacted the company which carried out the work, Easifall, only to discover it had gone bust in July 2013, two months after completing the track.

The firm which supplied the materials to Easifall offered to rip out and relay the faulty track at cost price but, at £23, this was unaffordable.

At the time, headteacher Peter Wallbanks urged any companies, organisations or individuals able to help to get in touch but so far the appeal has been fruitless.

Anyone able to help should contact 01325-300194.