AFTER years of fundraising, work has finally started on an adventure play area for a school near Cockermouth.

The pupils at Lorton School cannot wait for it to be finished - and have been keen to help out where possible.

Friends of Lorton School (Fols) have organised a host of fundraising events during the past three years and raised £15,000. They have held summer fairs at the school, staged toy hunts in Cockermouth, raced Tigerboats on Derwentwater and held an art auction at Wordsworth House.

A further £10,000 came from a Lottery Awards for All grant.

"The grant and fundraising paid for the play equipment and installation. We are so grateful to one of the parents who organised for all the groundwork to be done over Christmas, we could not have completed the project at this stage without their generosity," said head teacher Olivia Harrison.

The old equipment was taken out and the ground dug out and resurfaced during the school holidays. Contractors then started installing the equipment last week.

"We are indebted to Fols for all their hard work. They have come up with so many great fundraising ideas for the play area while also raising money for other school things, " said Mrs Harrison.

The old play area had some safety issues and needed more and more maintenance over time. The new equipment will include climbing ropes and a bouldering wall on an artificial surface.

"The kids are really enjoying seeing it going up and cannot wait until it's completed," said Mrs Harrison.