PUPILS at a nursery will enjoy a new outdoor learning centre after a £12,000 donation.

Youngsters at Norcot Early Years Centre will learn about the natural world in a new outdoor classroom.

Diana Heath, head of the centre said: “Our children and the local community will get so much out of this outdoor space.

"Staff are already planning all the learning opportunities they wish to explore with the children.”

The new space was created thanks to a £12,000 gift form the Tesco Bags of Help scheme and a special discount on materials used to make the new decking.

Tony Jones, lead member for education, said: “Congratulations to Norcot Early Years Centre for securing the funding for this project and then creating this excellent resource.

“The outdoors is a wonderful place for children to learn and to connect with nature and I am sure many youngsters will love the time they spend in Woodside for years to come.”

The garden was designed by the centre's gardener Moria Rusbridge and the senior leadership team.

Bowood Landscapes Ltd were chosen contractors and made use of interesting additional materials, such as rubber playground tiles from another school refurbishment and hazel rods left over from garden maintenance work.

Another local building and timber suppliers, Buildbase, also gave a generous discount on materials for the decking which allowed the funding to stretch further.