BREAK times are set to become a lot more fun for children at The Ferns Academy �— with the opening of a new purpose-built play area.

The Farnworth primary school had been without a fit-for-use playground for many years until neighbouring school Harper Green Secondary School stepped in to donate land for the development.

Pupils are delighted with their playground and are already making plans for other new additions, including creating an eco-area and a "theatre stage".

Macey Schofield, aged 7, said: "The first time I saw our new playground I thought wow!

"We have so much space to play and run around. It has been exciting waiting for it to be ready but now its the best playground ever.

The site was developed by building firm Carefoot and their mascot Sammy Safe Site helped perform the official opening.

Headteacher Debra Murphy said she was delighted. She said: "The new playground was donated by Harper Green.

"They have an abundance of land and we work very closely with the school. We have acquired a large playing surface which has been marked out for large team games and also a grass field which is amazing, as we had no grass at all.

"The children were desperate for a new playground,as the existing one consisted of tarmac that had been changed over the years,which was very uneven and bland.

"With our new building we lost nearly half of our playground and as numbers are going up this was a problem for us. "

She said the playground will have a "huge impact on the children" as it will allow them to take part in more activities.

Mrs Murphy said: "The School Council have a grand plan. On the top playground,which is the existing one, they would like a grass hill to sit on and chill.

"They would like an eco area to plant and grow and a stage to dance and sing. They have also asked for things to be painted on the playground to help them learn."

The children will play sports such as basketball, netball, football and athletics on the bottom part of the playground and a section of the grassed area will double up as a football field and a picnic area.

Mrs Murphy added: "We have melody bells in the playground to signify the end of a playtime. They work so well and sound beautiful.

"On the opening day we had team games on the bottom playground, we had table top games on the top playground and equipment out for the children to play with, skipping ropes,balls etc.

"The children loved every moment and they adore their new playground.

" It will enable them to play games as a team safely. It will enable the social interaction to take place and give them pride in their school."