PUPILS have celebrated the official opening of their improved playground following an ambitious year-long project.

The playground, including a tunnel climber, trapeze rings and a rope climber and clatter bridge, was created at South Stanley Infants School, in South Stanley, north Durham.

Teacher Emma Fagan, who is responsible for the school council, said: “Pupils on our school council last year began a big project to try and improve their playground.

“They questioned other pupils to see want they wanted, worked on some ideas and got some companies to see what they could offer us.

“Then we were able to secure a £10,000 lottery grant, which we were able to put with a budget that our head teacher Heather Kemp gave us to really invest in improving opportunities for more creative play.”

She added: “The pupils have been thrilled to see it coming to fruition.”

The project came to full completion before Christmas.

Mrs Fagan added: “The new school council said we needed to have a big ceremony.

“We invited Year Three pupils from the junior school, who had been in our school last year and were a part of it the project. “

The ribbon-cutting included a visit from Spiderman.