EAST Allington Primary School opened its new garden area last Friday, thanks to a bequest from a local benefactor.

Mrs Dorothy Johnson made a donation to the project in her will and as a mark of respect for her and a way of saying thank you, the school has named the area Dorothy's Garden.

'The vision of a garden area that the ­children could use as an outdoor classroom arose a few years ago,' said head of teaching and learning Karen Partridge. 'It's taken a lot of sweat and perseverance to get it to this stage.

'The project hasn't always been plain ­sailing, but the team involved stuck to its vision. Recently the children have really been enjoying the garden in the sunshine and the rain, both in class teaching times and during break times.'

Karen went on to thank Eddie Church for the shelter, gazebo, new hedge and pirate ship and Sovereign Rubber for the rubber matting. She also thanked the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association for 'putting their all into the project', behind its driving force Emily Tibbets, a member of the PTA.

The crowd that had gathered to see the garden opened were entertained with a song by the children, accompanied by teacher Ms Ward, before refreshments were served and the stalls were opened. The children then enjoyed the garden and visited the chickens in the field.