EXFORD First School has received a £750 grant from a local charity to help cover the cost of buying equipment for a new outdoor activity area.

The donation was made by the Henry Leigh Withypool Educational Trust, a charity which was set up in 2006 to ensure the proceeds from the sale of Withypool School are used to further the education of local young people.

As well as pupils from Exford School, both past and present, young people under 25 living in the parishes of Withypool and Hawkridge, Exford, Exmoor (Simonsbath) and Winsford are eligible to apply for a grant.

Applicants have to complete a short form and grants are not based on the financial status of the person applying.

Since the trust started, over 200 grants have been awarded to young people in the area and have included help for school trips, computers, driving lessons, music lessons, computer classes, books and other equipment for college and university courses.

"The grants we can offer to individuals are quite modest, but we know can make a real difference to help young people broaden their horizons," trust chairman Mike Bickersteth said.

He added: "The Trust was very pleased to support children's learning at Exford First School."

More information about the Henry Leigh Trust is available via Exford First School's website, or by contacting the trust's secretary Lyn Fisher on 01643 831321.

Pictured, from the left, in the new outdoor play area are trust chairman Mike Bickersteth, senior teacher Laura Weaver and pupils Daniel Norrish, Zena Barlow, Tristram Graham, Tom Floyd, Edie Jones and Geoffrey Illing.

Photo: Steve Guscott