School children are reaping the rewards after three years of fundraising came to fruition with the addition of new high quality play equipment.

Eastern Daily Press: Bungay Primary School pupils try out their new climbing frame. PTA chairman, Tina Lathrope, centre of picture on bridge, and treasurer, Karen Vincent, back left; head teacher Iain Owens, front left; and Bungay area Lions representatives, Stan Caley and Jane Gardiner, back left. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYBungay Primary School pupils try out their new climbing frame. PTA chairman, Tina Lathrope, centre of picture on bridge, and treasurer, Karen Vincent, back left; head teacher Iain Owens, front left; and Bungay area Lions representatives, Stan Caley and Jane Gardiner, back left. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Bungay Primary School, in Wingfield Street, unveiled its new £20,000 climbing frame this week.

The project has been funded in part by a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery.

A mixture of fetes, discos and other sponsored events saw the school raise the remainder, plus a £500 grant courtesy of Bungay Lions.

Tina Wall, chairman of the parent teacher association (PTA), says there is a 'real sense of pride' surrounding the climbing frame after the time and effort gone into making it a reality.

She said: 'It's really lovely. It has been a long time coming and it's nice to finally have it finished.'

Children who were part of the fundraising campaign when it began, but who have since moved to high school, will be invited back to enjoy the new facility as a reward for their hard work.

The new frame includes a climbing wall, log bridge, fireman's pole and monkey bars and is suitable for pupils of all ages to enjoy.

Additionally, a new 'kick wall' has also been installed as part of the project for children to play ball games against.

The idea for the climbing frame originally came from the pupils.

Headteacher Iain Owens believes it represents the benefits of perseverance and determination.

He said: 'There were initially thoughts that this was too big to go for, but the children had really high aspirations. They worked hard and it paid off.

'I am thrilled at the hard work of all the parents and children.'

Mr Owens highlighted the importance of exercising both the mind and the body at school.

He added: 'There is not a huge amount of play equipment elsewhere in Bungay and they spend so much time playing outside.

'This is a safe environment for them to play together with their mates.'

The climbing frame was built over the summer holidays and is already proving popular among the Bungay pupils who say they enjoy playing hide and seek in the frame and pretending it is a pirate ship.