TRAINEE joiners have helped to design and build a new outdoor activity area for Widnes schoolchildren.

Joinery staff and students from Riverside College were invited by Widnes timber company Metsa Wood to help support their community project.

St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Ditton has been awarded a grant to develop an outdoor learning space.

Teachers wanted to create a bridge to reach a reading area, a decking area for class activities and a meeting room.

Students supplied the knowledge and labour to turn the plans into reality.

Metsä Wood donated all of the timber materials required and Widnes company Jefferson Civil Engineering provided labour to complete the ground work.

College tutors John Wardropper and Paul McNally designed the bridge.

The bridge frame and decking were built at the college workshop and the finishing touches added by making and fitting the hand rails.

The bridge was then carefully dismantled and with the help of the college estates team taken to St Michael's where it was meticulously installed by the students.

A graffiti wall was incorporated on the outdoor fence from large timber sheets.

The school has employed an artist to create imaginative designs to inspire pupils on this space.

The next stage of the project will be to create an activity decking area and meeting room later in the year.

Riverside joinery tutor John Wardropper said: “This is an excellent opportunity for our students to put into practice the skills and knowledge they have developed during their time with us.

“It is very important that we work with businesses and schools.

“It not only supports and develops our students but highlights the great work our college completes in the community.”