A NEW garden developed by primary school pupils is helping to create a calm atmosphere in the playground.

The garden at Skerne Park Primary School, Darlington, was the idea of the children, who wanted to make a quiet area as part of the playground development.

The school has been given a total of £5,000 from the Skerne Park Single Regeneration Budget fund to revamp its playground.

Headteacher Di Teesdale said that the whole project started because they felt the children had nothing to do at playtimes.

As well as providing new play equipment, the garden has been planted and is now in full bloom.

Work began after Christmas with digging the area out, before the youngsters got to work planting it up in the spring and painting the seats and fences in rainbow colours.

Mrs Teesdale said: "They have made it look really attractive and are looking after it themselves, watering the plants at lunchtimes and weeding.

"The plants are absolutely beautiful. It is a mass of colour at the moment.

"It is having a huge effect on the behaviour and atmosphere of the school. It has made it so much calmer."