WHEN the children return to school in Kirkheaton next week they will have a surprise.

Volunteers from Barclays Bank, teachers and parents have dug deep to build the pupils at Kirkheaton Primary School a play area ideal for the winter months.

The make-over at the New Road school means an area that was too muddy for the children to play on in the wet weather can now be used.

Head teacher Brett Dye said: "We put in a bid to ask Barclays to help us out. They have supplied not only £2,000, but also more than 30 people to help with the work.

"This means the children now have somewhere lovely to play all year round."

The work included flagging areas and putting up fencing. It is aimed specifically at the four, five and six-year-olds at the school.

"We are so grateful to Barclays for helping us out. They have been brilliant," said Mr Dye, who has been head at the school for 10 years.

"The children will be really pleased when they see what we have done in their playground."

The volunteers from Barclays gave their time as part of Make a Difference Day. Thousands of other people across the country took part in the country's biggest day of volunteering.