A PRIMARY school in Basingstoke received £1,000 from a councillor’s grant scheme to purchase eight new recycled plastic benches.

St Mark’s CofE Primary School, in Danebury Road, Hatch Warren, received the money from Basingstoke and Deane borough councillor Dan Putty’s council grant.

Cllr Putty visited the school on Wednesday, March 21, and presented a cheque to the headteacher Charles Applegate.

The new benches, which are made completely from recycled plastic, will be placed in the school’s Key Stage One playground.

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The benches are part of a wider outdoor improvement project by the school which will eventually include new climbing and play equipment, a small farm and greater use of the woodland area. 

Mr Applegate said: "We are so grateful to Cllr Putty for his generosity. We know it's vital for children to spend quality time outside; it develops essential skills including creativity, communication, resilience and teamwork - not to mention fun and relaxation.

“Our long-term focus on outdoor learning and wellbeing is more important than ever given the on-going pressures of life, especially from technology. Cllr Putty is helping us to continue to make this vision a daily reality for our pupils."

Cllr Putty said he was happy to support the school using the council’s grant.

He added: “I’m glad the school is making the best use of the grant. I hope pupils will enjoy the new benches and I wish them good luck.”