CHILDREN at Uphill Village Academy are enjoying a new addition to their playground – thanks to a two-year fundraising drive by school supporters.

Youngsters at the Weston-super-Mare primary school have returned from their summer holidays to find an exciting wooden sailing ship designed by the children themselves.

Their playground vision was brought to life thanks to the school’s Parents, Teachers and Friends Association, which has been raising money towards the project for the past two years.

Sam Hodder, principal at Uphill Village Academy, said: “When we were looking for an addition to our outside space, the children were asked to design their ideal piece of play equipment as part of an Easter competition.

“Many of them came up with some form of boat, which is reflected in the finished design.

“We are grateful to the members of our brilliant PTFA for their dedicated fundraising over the past two years to raise money to build this.

“They've done this through fetes, selling ice lollies in the playground, quiz nights, discos and a big 90s night fundraiser at the Tropicana.

“The end result is a fabulous addition to the play facilities at Uphill Village Academy – the children here love it already.”