A bare patch of concrete and muddy grass has been transformed into a colourful, sensory outdoor learning space for children with special needs at a Norwich school.

Eastern Daily Press: New sensory area at Sprowston Infant School. Picture: ANTONY KELLYNew sensory area at Sprowston Infant School. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

And the youngsters, teachers and parents at Sprowston Infant School are also celebrating the upgrade of its 'Turtle Room' with new and improved facilities.

The improvements were paid for by £10,000 Norfolk County Council cash and a further £3,500 donated by Norwich music venue, the Brickmakers.

The school has one of just 24 specialist resource bases (SRBs) in the county which support children with a range of special needs.

Rob Edwards, headteacher, said: 'The SRB is a really valued part of our school.

Eastern Daily Press: New sensory area at Sprowston Infant School. Picture: ANTONY KELLYNew sensory area at Sprowston Infant School. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

'It helps to nurture children from across our area of the county who have very specific needs and helps them fulfil their learning and development potential.

'We are thrilled to have new facilities that have been designed specifically with these children in mind and we're confident that it will help our fantastic staff provide the very best care for the children.'

Penny Carpenter, the county council's children's services committee chairman, said: 'We want Norfolk children with special educational needs to be taught close to their homes and within mainstream education wherever possible.

'Specialist resource bases, like the one at Sprowston Infants School, support children with a range of needs, including behaviour, autism and learning difficulties – giving them the opportunity to receive very specialist support and still be part of a mainstream school.'

Eastern Daily Press: New sensory area at Sprowston Infant School. Picture: ANTONY KELLYNew sensory area at Sprowston Infant School. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Charley South of the Brickmakers said they raised money for the project at their annual Brickfest live music day.

She said: 'After meeting the staff and children from the Turtles Class we were eager to help.

'Our annual Brickfest event supports local charities and we couldn't get much more local than Sprowston Infant School.

'It was an amazing day with 38 local bands giving up their time for free.

Eastern Daily Press: New sensory area at Sprowston Infant School. Picture: ANTONY KELLYNew sensory area at Sprowston Infant School. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

'Our staff, customers and musicians are all very proud to have helped give the children who use the SRB a fantastic outside area to help them develop their skills'.

Other donations came from businesses including Tesco, Roys, City and County Residential Lettings and from the public through a sponsored fun run the children did.