STORYTIME has been made even more fun at a Richmondshire primary school after receiving special story chairs made by veterans overcoming trauma and injury.

Brompton on Swale Church of England Primary School took delivery of the whimsical chairs last week – and youngsters have wasted no time in trying them out.

The chairs, made from ash and hazel wood, have been placed in a quiet area of the school’s gardens, and include one large ‘storytelling chair’ and four smaller, child-sized chairs.

Chris Morgan is an army veteran who volunteers at Help for Heroes-run Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison in the woodwork unit, where the chairs were made.

Having suffered mental illness following 24 years in the Royal Artillery, he understands who important it is for recovering veterans and service personnel to build confidence through gaining new skills.

He said: “I volunteer at Phoenix House to give something back, and the woodworking class does a tremendous amount of good for the guys in recovery.

“It gives them something to focus on – the amount of good it has done them is immeasurable, it has brought many of them back into the world.”

Mr Morgan said the chairs were made from green wood – wood that has just been cut – and were made by a group of veterans in the workshop after one of the teachers from the school requested them.

He said: “We made the big story chair first, but then the school decided they wanted smaller chairs that the children could sit on while listening to a story, too.

“It is really great to know that the children will enjoy the chairs and know where they came from – there are service families at the school too so it comes full circle.”

Mr Morgan said some of the group members had even been inspired to set up their own woodworking business, thanks to the positive feedback they had received from happy customers asking for one-off pieces.

He added: “We helped to work on the Welcome to Yorkshire Chelsea Flower Show garden too so that was a real buzz – it was nerve wracking but it was also a massive confidence boost for the guys.”

The team will be at Catterick Village Fair on Saturday, June 18, and in Hawes on Saturday, June25, displaying their handmade crafts and to speak about the workshop.