YOUNGSTERS are being encouraged to spend more time playing outside following a funding boost from a local authority.

St Michael's Primary School and Pre-School Parents and Friends Association (PFA) has been awarded £2,500 by Lyme Regis Town Council in order to replace old and damaged sheds which are used to store outdoor play equipment.

The equipment was becoming damaged, mouldy and unusable as the old metal sheds let in rain and damp.

Thanks to funding from the town council, the school has replaced them with four new wooden sheds, two of which are in the primary school playground and the other two at the pre-school.

Headteacher Nick Kiddle said: “A huge thank you to Lyme Regis Town Council. It will make a difference to the children every single day.

“We couldn’t use the sheds before, we couldn’t get in them because they were damp and smelly.

“Now we can store it safely, we are going to buy new equipment for the playground.”

Micheala Demkiw, chairman of the PFA, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the grant.

"It’s a lovely school and it’s good to be able to promote it in a really positive way by working with the town council.

“We have such a good outdoor space, so to be able to have equipment stored safely in the sheds and this space, we are very lucky.”

Year 6 pupils showed the sheds to Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, chairman of the tourism, community and publicity committee, and Cllr Richard Doney, vice-chairman of the committee.

Cllr Reynolds said: “The council couldn’t do anything but support this grant.

"We also recognised the school supports the town by getting involved in local initiatives and attending local events.”

Cllr Doney said: “The council is insistent on doing what it can to help young people in Lyme Regis and it feels this is a priority.”

Cllr Reynolds and Cllr Doney presented a cheque to the school and were thanked by the all the pupils during a morning assembly.

Year 6 pupil Sophie Carey said: “The sheds are very useful and they can’t get damp inside.”

The pre-school is also making good use of its sheds.

Pre-school leader Mandy Broster said: “We use one of the sheds as a construction area.

"It gives the children the independence to get the equipment out when they want and encourages free choice for children.”