CHILDREN'S prayers for a new play area have been answered- with a little help from local churchgoers.And some could say it was divine intervention that Neil Spencer, rector of Ormesby and Rollesby, telephoned Rollesby Primary School to see if the school needed money for new equipment and discovered the headteacher Sue Pickles needed £4,000 for the new astro turf surface.

CHILDREN'S prayers for a new play area have been answered- with a little help from local churchgoers.

And some could say it was divine intervention that Neil Spencer, rector of Ormesby and Rollesby, telephoned Rollesby Primary School to see if the school needed money for new equipment and discovered the headteacher Sue Pickles needed £4,000 for the new astro turf surface.

The state-of-the-art facility was installed two weeks ago and officially opened by Rector Spencer during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday.

The cash came from the church's Town Lands Trust which provides cash for projects within the parish such as the play area, and also paid for a 400 yard stretch of footpath along Main Road in Ormesby between Decoy Road and St Michael's Church.

The equipment enables the 55 nursery and reception children aged between two and five to play outside in all weathers without getting muddy as they used to with the old tarmac play area, while the astro turf prevents the children getting injured if they fall over.

Rector Spencer said: “It is a lovely example of a church charity being able to help a local school. So it is a good way for the church and local community to work together.”

Nursery teacher Juliette Elwick, 38, said the new play area was especially important as the new early years curriculum, due out in September, specifies children participate in more outdoor activities as part of their learning.

She said children could play football, tennis and throwing and catching games.

“It has gone down really well with the children and the parents as well because their youngsters are not getting as muddy,” Mrs Elwick said.