PUPILS at Overmonnow Primary School in Monmouth are enjoying using a new outdoor classroom space made for them by local housing developer Lovell.

Lovell, which recently built 32 homes for Monmouthshire Housing Association on land next to the school, created the external teaching area as a 'thank-you' to the local community.

The company fenced off and gated the open-air facility and presented the school with a donation which has helped fund the paving of the area.

Lovell community liaison manager Bernadette Vickery says: "We've been working very closely with the school throughout the whole construction scheme, including organising for the Overmonnow Primary pupils to come on to our site and have a supervised tour of the construction work. It's been great to see their interest and enthusiasm. Wherever we work, our aim is to leave a 'Lovell Legacy' of lasting benefits for the wider community, so when we found out the school wanted to create the external teaching area, we were delighted to be able to help make it a reality. It looks fantastic and we hope pupils and teachers enjoy using it."

Year 1 teacher Kelly Jukes says: "We would like to thank Lovell for helping create an enclosed learning environment for the children. It has allowed the children to use the area safely during class time, extending both their literacy and numeracy skills."

Lovell recently completed work on the redevelopment of the former Trevor Bowen Court sheltered housing complex next to the school site with 12 new houses for open market sale through MHA's trading subsidiary Capsel as well as Trevor Bowen House - 20 apartments for residents aged over 60.