BRICK by brick, a new play area is being built for pupils at Raysfield Infants' School in Chipping Sodbury.

The all-season play area has been designed to encourage children’s imagination and creativity and will feature tunnels, natural play equipment and well-drained grassy areas.

The jewel in the crown will be a circular patio area, made up of 400 bricks, which will be the start of a pathway through the new garden.

Headteacher Alison Wood said: "At the moment the grass in our play area gets too wet for the children to play on it at certain times of the year.

"This project will see the creation of an all-year round play space full of experiences to develop pupils’ creativity and imagination and to encourage them to take risks."

Parents, staff, pupils and members of the community are being asked to sponsor a brick to help with the cost of the project.

Each brick costs £10 to sponsor and can hold a total of 32 characters over two lines, including spaces, for a message that will be imprinted in the school forever.

"We are keen to get the bricks laid," said Ms Wood.

"We hope that past pupils, teachers and headteachers will take part in the brick appeal.

"All the money raised will go towards developing the play area further as we have many opportunities for development and plenty of mini-projects planned for the future."

It is being developed in conjunction with the Play Group - a group of parents who work with the school council to share ideas and make plans. Anyone interested in sponsoring a brick is asked to contact the school or email catherineobrien@blueyonder.co.uk by the end of July.