A Ledbury school is raising thousands of pounds to give pupils a new playground.

Ledbury Primary School wants to build an improved play area for Year 1 and 2 pupils - but it comes with a hefty price tag.

The school’s PTA has been holding fundraising events including a psychic night and there are more planned.

Co-headteacher Rachel Ussher, who will take over as headteacher in September, said: “This is a transformative project that we need help to achieve.

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“A couple of years ago we created a fabulous outdoor classroom for our youngest children in Reception. This has been really good for their mental health and their resilience.

“The next step is to do something similar for years 1 and 2. At the moment they have a traditional school playground.

“What we’re looking to create is something different, with gutters to collect rain water and pumps to move it around, bridges and walkways.

“There’s a bank around the edge of the playground - we’ll add climbing ropes to build the children’s core strength. And we want to build a reading area.

“This will all help with learning as well as at playtime. It will also help the children to observe and connect with nature.”

Such a playground would cost “a rather large sum of money” - in the region of £30,000 - and as Mrs Ussher points out, not all of that can come from the school budget.

The school has been applying for grants and PTA events including a carnival and school discos will raise further funds, while a family pass for Lakefest at Eastnor Castle will be raffled off.

An evening of clairvoyance put on by Malvern-based medium Julie Angel raised almost £1,000 earlier this month.

“She was so generous and went above and beyond gathering raffle prizes,” said Mrs Ussher.

“The businesses we approached for prizes deserve a mention,” said Julie.

“Not a single one turned down the chance to donate a prize, and they were decent prizes as well. It was really heartwarming.

“One day they’ll be able to look at that playground, see the children enjoying it and think ‘I helped with that’.”

The businesses that contributed prizes were Murrins Sport Karate, Nia Beauty Salon, Ledbury Market Theatre, Kitchen Cupboard Ledbury, Tinterns, Past and Present, The Talbot Hotel, Cutting Club, Bark House Dog Grooming, Hus and Hem, Co-op, Greggs, Shanti Shanti, Scarf & Hope and Glory and The Corner House Cafe.

Another Evening of Clairvoyance is being planned for September.