A DISUSED swimming pool has been converted into a school playground.

West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin visited Winterbourne Valley First School to officially open their new play area.

Head teacher Anne Allen, who has run the school for four years, said: "It's a much better environment for the children because they had been playing at the front of the school, which is parallel with the A35.

"Now they can play on the fields or the hard play area." Underneath the two-tiered playground is a time capsule, buried by contractors, which includes photos of the school uniform and a copy of the Echo.

The area was built on the site of the school's old swimming pool, which has been disused for several years.

Mrs Allen said that youngsters would be taking part in a sponsored ball games day to raise money to decorate the play area.