CHILDREN are appealing for an unusual donation to form a stunning centrepiece in an eco-garden they are creating at school.

Pupils at Tudhoe Colliery Primary School have designed a new garden to replace an area that was turned into a car park following an extension, which opened in September 2015.

Top of youngsters’ wishlist was a river-like water feature but after working out the budget and groundwork it would require they had to scrap the plan.

Still keen to have a showpiece, they set their hearts on something like a tractor and trailer or mining tub to convert into a planter and to reflect the local mining and farming heritage.

Headteacher Jim Smith said: “Pupils have come up with the ideas and design themselves, but unfortunately the water feature couldn’t be done.

“I’m determined for them to get the unique and stunning feature they want and we’d appreciate such a donation.”

Other ideas include a landscaped cave, giant outdoor games and fruit and vegetable growing spaces including a polytunnel or greenhouse.

Tom’s Veg Stall was dreamt up by eight-year-old Thomas Millward, he said: “If we’re hungry at playtime we can go to the veg stall and pick up something like a carrot grown in our own garden.”

Children who volunteered for the garden committee are working alongside community interest company Success (North East) on the project.

Millie Tague, eight, said: “We’re really excited about it, it will make it look nicer and we’ll have space for planting different things and learn about gardening.”

Thomas Whitfield, nine, said: “It’s good to get messy so I’ll enjoy that in the garden, if we’re outside and growing and using our own fruit and vegetables we’ll be healthier too.”

The children have a £12,000 budget thanks to a £9,849 Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund and £2,000 from Spennymoor Area Action Partnership.

Mr Smith said: “The project is helping them build business acumen and to understand costs, make decisions, formulate opinions and think about other people.

“It will be a healthy space, we’ve got computers and ipads but you can’t beat getting outside- a dirty kid is a happy kid. They will get so much out of seeing something start from nothing then develop because of their work.”