A whopping 13 tonnes of steaming road surface was poured on to a Wickford school's playground to create a brand new sports area.

Pupils and staff at Castledon School, in Bromfords Drive, looked on as the hot, black covering was laid.

Craft, design and technology students had already concreted the area, which used to house the school's old outdoor swimming pool.

Grays-based firm Lafarge generously donated the surface and Ray Woolley who used to have children at the school, and his team of four, agreed to spread it free of charge.

The area will now be used as a five-a-side football pitch and basketball court for the special school's older pupils.

Headteacher Peter Webster said: "We have only got one playground so the youngest children aged around five are with the seniors, aged up to 16. This means the seniors can play five-a-side and it's safer all round."

The school is also in the process of having a new £207,000 indoor 16.6m long swimming pool installed to replace their old one. It should be completed by the start of the new school year in September and will have changing rooms and shower facilities.

Disabled ramps will also be installed for easy access. Mr Webster, who retires from the school tomorrow, said: "The old pool was very small and not really suitable. Being outdoors meant that we could only use it for a few months of every year."

The school spent five years fundraising for the new pool. Much of the cash came from charity grants, including one from the Foundation for Sports and the Arts. The new facility will also be a help for students who need to build their self-confidence and improve co-ordination skills.

Get busy - 15-year-old pupils Katie McEwen and Richard Heals get to work with tar layer Chris Birch

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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