SUPPORT from a nearby factory has helped Aycliffe Village children win National Lottery funding for outdoor play equipment.

Aycliffe Village Primary School and the Aycliffe Village Pre-school group were putting together a joint bid for funding from the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme and wanted to show they could meet some of the costs of the project themselves.

They turned to 3M Aycliffe for help and the site responded with a pledge to donate £250.

Primary school headteacher Jo Clarke said that 3M's promise of support had been a great encouragement.

She said: "We applied for the funding from the lottery scheme and were delighted to hear earlier this week that we are to receive the full £5,000 grant, which is marvellous news. The new equipment will be in the school grounds and is intended for school and pre-school use.

"There will be joint activities with our reception class to help the pre-school children integrate with the school before they join us."

Mike Simpson, of 3M Aycliffe, went along to the school to present the £250 cheque.

He said: "The new equipment will be of great benefit to the village children and we were very pleased to be able to help them to get the funding they needed. We hope they will enjoy using the equipment for many years to come."

What will be purchased with the funding has yet to be decided, but Miss Clarke said it was likely to include a play house, bikes and various climbing equipment.