A major project to enable more community use of the outside space at Whitchurch Community Primary School has the go-ahead thanks to a £30,000 grant from Devon County Council from funds allocated from the sale of Exeter International Airport.

The improvements include creating a community allotment, improving drainage of the playing field to allow all-year use by local sports groups, an outdoor learning area for children with special needs, an amphitheatre to be used by local music, dance and theatre groups and a conservation area to enable pupils and local people to learn about eco-systems.

The idea for the project came from the school's governors and parents. The total cost is £64,500 with other funding coming from the county council's children's and young people's services, the Mary Budding Trust and the school itself.

The £30,000 was allocated by Tavistock County Cllr Roy Connelly from his local projects fund.

He said: 'I am delighted to have been able to support this community project. The school's staff, governors and parents should be congratulated for developing a project that will benefit not only the children within the school but also the wider community.'

Headteacher Angela O'Shea Warman said: 'We are delighted with this grant. The school is situated on a beautiful green site.

'This money will allow us to enhance the school grounds for the use of children, parents and the community.

'At Whitchurch we are committed to nurturing children's understanding of the environment and promoting a healthy lifestyle. This grant will allow us to further develop these areas.'