A school’s reception play area looks set to be a riot of colour this summer thanks to the generosity of a Poole company.

Castlemain Groundworks transformed Upton Infant School’s reception ground from a disused mud pit to an allotment, complete with small world play area, seating and even a bug hotel.

Company Director Richard Dade stepped in after seeing the muddy, disused area of the playground going to waste.

He approached Duncan Churchill, Headteacher, with an offer to carry out a garden makeover  – free of charge.

Richard, pictured left, who has a daughter and a niece at the school, said he knew that schools were having a tough time with resources due to the pandemic.

He added: “Schools have had to make decisions about what to invest in the past few months.

“With online learning resources, PPE and additional supplies taking priority some of the little projects have had to be put on the back burner.

“This gardening area is right by the reception classrooms and I saw it when I picked my daughter up.

“It’s such a lovely area, but it had fallen into disrepair and I knew that my team could make a difference.”

The entire Castlemain Groundworks team were involved in the Garden Rescue-style project last weekend.

They made good the planting areas while hardware store, Upton Hardware, donated signs and compost so each class can have a flower bed to look after.

Richard said: “It will soon be the perfect time for planting for summer.

“The school can look forward to seeing a riot of colour in the playground.”