PLAY equipment for special needs children at Tavistock Primary School stolen following a burglary has been replaced with the help of a former pupil of the school.

One former pupil was so upset to hear of the theft he applied for a grant of £1,500 from RMCC ? Ronald McDonalds Children?s Charities ? which has agreed to provide new karts and toys for the Mary Budding special needs support centre pre school.

Joe Flynn, headmaster of Tavistock Primary, said: ?We are absolutely delighted to receive this grant from RMCC at a time when we could not have needed it more.

?Sadly, the centre has recently been burgled and the donation has allowed us to replace all the karts and toys that were stolen.?

The theft occurred earlier this summer when thieves broke into the metal shed in the school playground and stole some of the school?s play equipment stored inside.

The grant was made possible thanks to pupil Thomas Pullar who left the school in the summer and is now at Tavistock Community College. When Thomas heard about the theft, unbeknown to Mr Flynn, he wrote a letter to McDonalds asking for help replacing the stolen toys.

The first Mr Flynn knew about the appeal was when he received a letter from the charity announcing they had decided to donate £1,500 to replace the toys which had been taken.

Pupils and staff at Tavistock Primary School are eagerly awaiting the latest batch of new karts and toys which are due to be delivered later this month.

RMCC spokesperson Jacqui Moore added: ?I?m thrilled we are able to contribute by presenting Tavistock Community Primary School with this grant. They provide a wonderful service to children.?