A SCHOOL playground which has not been updated for more than 20 years is in desperate need of a £60,000 makeover.

St Thomas' CE Primary School in Stockton Heath has already started fundraising to give children a safe space where they can play and have fun.

Tracy Buckley is chair of the Parents, Friends and Teachers Association (PFTA) and is trying to reach out to the community for further support.

She said: "Sometimes when it has been raining, the children can't go out because there are too many puddles.

"I just want them to have what other schools have."

Designs for the new playground include a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) which includes goals, hoops for netball and basketball, and games along the side of the fence.

In the main play area there will be games marked on the floor plus larger ones erected around the outside.

The first stage of the transformation however has been chosen by the children themselves.

Tracy explained: "We are keen on getting what the children want.

"We have shown them some designs and they said they wanted gym equipment."

This will be in line with the school's healthy eating and exercise initiative and will also tie in with a new path where students can complete The Daily Mile.

Tracey added: "We have been partnered up with a church in Uganda and they are called River of Life.

"This is mentioned in The Book of Revelations so we thought it would be a lovely thing to have a path winding around the outside of the playground."

The school is already hosting movie nights for the children, selling ice creams after school on a Friday and taking part in a recycling scheme.

Tracy is busy planning a circus-themed family fun day at the school to take place on Stockton Heath Walking Day on Saturday, July 13.