PUPILS and teachers from St Thomas' Primary School have been treated to a new wildlife garden to enjoy after coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

When the Stockton Heath school closed last month, plans to create the special outdoor space were put on hold.

Neil and Dina Kingsnorth, from Patch of the Planet, had designed the wildlife area at the school and even organised a community planting day to bring it to life.

After a sudden change of plan, Neil and Dina volunteered their time to plant up the garden, giving children something to enjoy when the school doors opened again.

As a gardening business, they are still able to work outdoors and as a married couple, can safely work together.

Neil said: "We always love creating new spaces for nature and were delighted to volunteer our time to work with St Thomas' PTA to design and create a wildlife area, revive their outdoor reading area with a weaved living willow structure, and create a lovely little edible area for the pre-school.

"We hope the news will bring some joy to the school community at this tricky time, and something to look forward to when everyone finally gets back to school."

St Thomas' head teacher, Ian Moss, added: "All the children, staff and governors at St Thomas' CE Primary School would like to thank Dina and Neil for their fantastic planting and willow sculpture work at our school.

"We are all really excited to watch the plants grow and bloom over this and future years.

"Their hard work has made a real difference, putting a smile on the faces of everyone in the school community at this time and we are already busy watering!

"Thank you so much!"