PARENTS took to the playground to help celebrate St Mary's Catholic First School's 40th anniversary - and raise some cash along the way.

Sponsored mums and dads exercised their skills in a variety of sports and physical activities to the delight of cheering children.

The PE challenge was part of a week-long set of activities to raise money towards a new building extension at the site.

Other events included a children's sponsored literacy challenge, in which each year group was challenged to find 40 specific words from adjectives to verbs.

There was also a contest for youngsters to make as many words as possible from the phrase St Mary's Catholic First School'.

Elsewhere, students also enjoyed a Science in Our Lives' event and submitted their ideas for a healthy lunchbox recipe book.

St Mary's Catholic First School, in Lucetta Lane, Dorchester, is proposing to build a new hall including a sports hall, two new classrooms, a new office and entrance.

The school also wants to change its existing building to include a new information technology suite and a food and craft room.

Bosses are trying to raise around £40,000 - 10 per cent of the total cost.

Dave Diaz, the chairman of governors, said: "We've tried to include everyone in the various activities and make this quite serious job of fundraising as fun as possible. I'm very grateful to the school community for its support and the staff and children for their encouragement and enthusiasm."