PUPILS at a Sunderland primary school have been helping build an earth oven for severely disabled children.

The oven at Grace House, in Southwick, Sunderland will be used by the charity to cook for the disabled children who go and stay there.

The youngsters from Southwick Primary School helped finish the oven, which was built by staff from Simon Berry Optometrist, in Durham, and gardening volunteers from Taste the Wild.

Grace House, run in partnership with Sunderland Care and Support, offers short-break care to severely disabled children aged five to 18.

Dr Karen Parry, chief executive at Grace House North East, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to add cooking in an earth oven to the range of experiences we can offer to children at Grace House.

“Not only will the children learn how different foods are prepared and cooked, they will be able to enjoy a campfire experience in a safe environment. The sensory stimulation of the sight of the flames, the smell of the wood smoke and cooking outdoors might be new to many children.”

Simon Berry, Optometrist said “It’s great to be able to help a really worthwhile charity, and fantastic to see Southwick Primary School getting involved to help disabled children in their community. Hopefully we’ll get invited back to taste the first home-made pizzas from their very own earth oven.”