PRIMARY school pupils have given a thumbs-up to their new play area, courtesy of The Northern Echo's Rok Community Challenge Competition.

Youngsters at Skerne Park Primary School, in Darlington, were able to try out their "quiet zone" when it was opened this week.

The area, which has seating, a wooden pergola, and scented herbs and flowers, was created by building experts Rok, with a little help from pupils, parents and teachers from Skerne Park.

The school was chosen from more than 100 community groups across the North-East after staff, pupils and parents got together to give their entry extra support by collecting tokens published in The Northern Echo.

Eleven-year-old Ryan Hogg, the pupil who collected the most tokens, had the honour of cutting the ribbon to open the garden.

Headteacher Diana Teasdale said: "Several of the children have stopped me in the corridor to say how much they like it."

Steve Allen, Rok's area leader for the Tees Valley, said: "The official opening of the garden area marked the end of a successful project to help a community organisation in the North-East, and has been great fun for all concerned."