STAFF and pupils of a West Devon school are asking members of the public to help them in a bid to secure funding to transform the playground.

St Rumon's C of E Infant School in Tavistock has been shortlisted as one of four finalists for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund in the Central Devon region — it is potentially able to win £3,000, but needs the backing of the community to vote for it to win.

If successful, the school will use the money to make the most of its outdoor space, which currently is an expanse of tarmac and grey walls.

The school business manager Nicky Mackenzie said the school is currently lying in second place so it is really crucial to get as much support as possible.

She said: 'The Lloyds Bank Community Fund will make a huge difference to St Rumon's School by enabling us to transform our tarmac playground into a greener, more natural environment, encouraging learning through play and discovery, making a difference to the experience of many primary school children in the centre of Tavistock.

'We hope to be able to put in some raised flower beds, an outdoor musical station, nature activity boxes, new PE equipment and new play adventure resources.

'The school is in an old Victorian building surrounded by grey walls so we'd like to create a mural for one of the school walls as well. We just want to make it more child-friendly, and this money would make a massive difference.'

Lloyds Bank Community Fund is helping people across England and Wales to have a positive impact in their communities by giving grants to more than 1,300 good causes in villages, towns and cities.

There are four local good causes in each local community and each will receive an award. Two local good causes from each community will receive £3,000 with the other two receiving £300 each.

To vote for St Rumon's School to receive the grant, text VOTE LFSD to 61119 or vote online at http://www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund">www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund

Voting closes on November 1.