Children at a west Dorset primary school returned to find new play equipment and treehouse.

Following a visit to St Mary’s Primary School in Bridport by town surveyor, Daryl Chambers, he was asked to help with a design for a treehouse for the school.

The children all submitted their ideas and a design was finally agreed.

The summer holidays saw these ideas become a reality when Bridport Town Council staff built the treehouse in time for the return of the children in September.

Three organisations - HOME in Bridport, Transition Town Bridport and Opera Circus - have worked together for seven years, developing the edible garden project at St Mary’s Primary School.

In the spring, funding was raised from Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation, which provides financial and practical assistance with the aim of making a difference to people’s lives, to help cover the cost of garden equipment, repairs to the shed and cobb oven and to build a tree house designed by the school children. The aim was to create a place for reading, a quiet place as well as a place to climb after many months stuck indoors.

A spokesman said: “With many thanks to Daryl Chambers and his team, the school and Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation that made this possible.

“The children at the school were delighted to return to such a fantastic addition to the playground.

Pupil Poppie said: “I like sitting in the trees that hold up the treehouse.” And fellow pupil Reiko said: “It has a balcony and so it feels like you are on holiday.”

The spokesman added: “The staff and children thanked the team of council workmen who put such care and thought into the build when they visited with the mayor to open the treehouse. It is a unique addition to the school ground and will be enjoyed by all the pupils for many years to come.”

After many years of fundraising, the school has also managed to replace to trim trail in the key stage two playground.

St Mary’s PTA would like to thank all the parents and teachers for their support with fundraising along with Bridport Carnival and Waitrose for their kind donations.