THE headteacher of a primary school spared from closure last year has thanked local businesses for their support.

Chris Young, of Ferryhill's Dean Bank Primary School, said he had been overwhelmed by the community support shown during the past term.

The school was scheduled for closure in June as part of a £300m shake-up of education in the county.

But it eventually earned a reprieve, and Mr Young is hoping to use it as a catalyst for a series of initiatives.

A Christmas fair has already raised £500 for school funds and local firms have contributed hundreds of pounds.

Tenlands Nursing Home, part of the Highfield Care Trust, has donated £200 to provide pupils with sportswear bearing the school logo.

The local Safeway supermarket agreed to provide discounted food for the new school Breakfast Club.

And Three Rivers Housing Association offered £200 towards the cost of installing interactive whiteboards in classrooms.

The Asda supermarket at Spennymoor donated fruit for children to eat at playtimes, helping establish the break-time fruit shop.

Mr Young said: "I am determined that Dean Bank Primary is, and will remain, a safe and friendly environment, in which pupils can thrive and parents be confident that their children are well cared for."