A chemical company has helped realise a dream for Priory Woods Primary School on Middlesbrough's Netherfields estate.

The school started raising funds two years ago to buy a new soft play surface.

Dow Chemical Company, in Wilton, saved the school an estimated £1,000 by donating polyurethane binder for the playground tiles made from end-of-life shredded tyres.

The playground surface was made in consultation with Rainbow Safety Surfacing.

Teacher Linda Purnell said "Our new playground is wonderful - well-used and very much appreciated.

"It's marvellous to watch the children playing up and down the slide, through tunnels and caterpillars.

"Our previous surface was too rough to enable us to use such equipment.

"It's also great to know that those who fall over accidentally won't end up with badly-scraped limbs.

"We can even allow children with walking aids and special bikes to use this surface.

" It has made a tremendous difference to the outdoor play possible."

Neil Agar, a delivery technician at the Dow site, said: "It's really great to see that a product made by the company we work for is benefiting our local school."