Playtime at an Alness school is about to become more imaginative and exciting thanks to a £31,000 project which has transformed a desolate and unattractive area within Obsdale Primary school into a play area which encourages pupils to get creative and devise their own playtime fun.

The project was supported by £24,000 of funding from Forward Scotland with additional support from The Highland Council.

The space has purposely been designed as an open free space to promote unstructured play so children get the chance to let their imaginations take over.

To help them get started there are some new exciting props such as a giant wall mounted toy clock, a set of extra large dominoes, plastic building blocks which can be transformed into numerous shapes, a selection of scooters, diggers and tractors to negotiate around self-built obstacle courses complete with miniature road safety signs plus balls, sports sets and hops.

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There is even a special wet area where the youngsters can use water in their play.

As well as catering for active pursuits during playtime, up a few steps overlooking the space is a quiet area where pupils can sit on over-sized outdoor cushions surrounded by planted flower and vegetable tubs.

A large roofed sand pit takes pride of place with lovely wooden covers which can be pulled off and converted into tables perfect for pupils to sit at to eat their snacks.

Head teacher of the 75 pupil school Mrs Frances Leslie was delighted with the transformation.

She said: "We are grateful to Forward Scotland as without their funding there would have been little prospect of us been able to create such a fantastic new area. I would also like to thank staff and the goodwill from their friends in helping to pull everything together.

"The space was designed to be flexible and to encourage the children to develop imaginative play. For a small school this is a great achievement and it is lovely to hear the children playing and interacting with each other so well. It is through play that the foundations of their communications skills are built and by tapping in to their imaginations, they can make it a very creative time."

Independent Councillor Carolyn Wilson was asked to come along to cut a ribbon to officially open the playground.

"I am really impressed with what has been achieved to turn an uninspiring space within the school into a colourful and popular play area. I think it is a great idea to encourage pupils to make up their own games and to find fun ways to spend break times," Councillor Wilson said.

After the daily playtime sessions the equipment used is put away and stored in a new large secured wooden shed.

(GK/JM)