CHILDREN have a special place to tuck themselves away with a good book after their school created a reading lodge in its grounds.

The £10,000 hut at West Rainton Primary School was built after its reading council came up with the idea.

Fundraising included neighbourhood budget of £4,000 each from Durham County Councillors David Hall and Bill Kellett and contributions from staff at Tesco Extra at Dragonville, the PTA and fundraising by the school.

The Northern Echo:

Children at West Rainton Primary School taking part in reading time in their new lodge

Headteacher Alison McDonough said: “It was the children’s idea so it should be well used. It is fitted with lighting and heating so can be used all year, will be used for timetabled lessons and after school.

“Mostly it is for break times, not all children want to be outside and they know they can go there to read, it has definitely given them an incentive to read and pupils from different year groups are sharing books together.

“Reading is the key to all learning, we encourage children to enjoy reading from nursery age onwards.”

The Northern Echo:

The reading lodge was officially opened on Monday