UNUSED areas of courtyard and playground at a Hartlepool school are in line for a makeover.

Plans are being made to spruce up the areas at St Bega's Primary School, to make them more attractive and interesting for pupils.

Landscape architects from Hartlepool Borough Council have been working with youngsters and teachers to draw up initial designs.

The work is part of the Grounds For Learning project funded by the North Hartlepool Single Regeneration Budget Partnership.

The project aims to create environmental improvements in school grounds, providing safe and stimulating settings in which children can play and learn.

Ian Simkins, the council's community landscape architect, said: "The aim at St Bega's is to create an area which feeds the children's imagination, and which is also an area for quiet contemplation.

"Although the detailed plans are still being worked out, in conjunction with pupils, teachers, governors and parents, there is tremendous potential to create a stimulating environment and there are a lot of exciting ideas being discussed.

"For example, it may be possible to include ship designs, to reflect the area's closeness to the sea.

"The finished work will also give the children the opportunity to do horticultural and nature study projects."

The Grounds For Learning scheme has already been successful at the town's St Helen's school, where a drab tarmac playground was transformed