VILLAGERS who rallied to help an arson-hit school have raised £7,000.
Hardwick Primary School in Sedgefield was gutted by fire in January last year.
Children had to spend several weeks using alternative classrooms in the village before Durham County Council constructed a temporary school.
The school was refurbished at a cost of £1,692,000 and children moved back in last Easter.
The community helped in several ways, including organising a fire appeal which has been running for the last year.
A series of different fundraising events took place, including raffles, a welly-throwing competition and local beat bobby PC Keith Todd had his head shaved.
In total, the group of parents and friends who organised the appeal have raised just over £7,000.
Headteacher Gill Coulson said: "We have used the money to extend the infant play area, so we have got a new outdoor playground where we are going to site the new play equipment.
"We are going to use the rest of the funds for landscaping and seating to enhance the school."
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