ASPIRING ship captains and train drivers at Cherry Orchard First School, Pershore, are thrilled with their new play equipment which greeted them at the beginning of the autumn term.

The recreation area, installed over the summer holiday, was received with whoops of delight by reception children and those from the adjacent play school.

The wooden pirate ship and train made more exciting by the availability of train drivers' caps and pirate costumes, has helped bring lessons and playtime alive.

Geraldine Daniels who works at the school said: "We are so pleased with the new equipment. It provides a safe environment in which the children play. It has secure fencing and a spongy surface which is safer than a hard floor, yet is still fun because although it is mainly black, it is blue around the ship to resemble water." Parents and teachers have also benefited: "The play area has been fitted near the school gates where parents wait for their children and near a seating area for the teachers, so we are all happy!"

The government allocates money to small schools to enable them to improve their teaching environment. The school's application included stating their criteria of what they wanted and why.