A Long Ashton primary school has been able to buy an essential piece of playground equipment, thanks to a supermarket scheme which works to benefit communities in the area.

North Somerset Times: Birdwell School children around a playground hut, funded by the Co-op Local Community Fund. Picture: MARK ATHERTONBirdwell School children around a playground hut, funded by the Co-op Local Community Fund. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Birdwell School bought a play hut for its pupils with funds awarded from The Co-op Local Community Fund.

The initiative has gifted £5million to groups across the UK since its launch in 2016, and 15 of those have benefitted from the scheme in the South West.

The money has been raised by the supermarket's members who have helped more than 4,000 community projects and spaces in the UK.

A spokesman from Birdwell School said: "The funding we received from Co-op's community fund was used to pay for a play hut in the school playground for Birdwell's pupils.

North Somerset Times: Birdwell School children around a playground hut, funded by the Co-op Local Community Fund. Picture: MARK ATHERTONBirdwell School children around a playground hut, funded by the Co-op Local Community Fund. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

"The children use the hut for shelter if its wet outside and for shade if it's sunny during their school breaks, which has an artificial grass section in the middle where pupils love to sit.

"It's also a good place for the children to hang out with friends, and this is a great piece of playground equipment for Birdwell to be able to gift the pupils with.

"There is also a weaving panel attached outside the hut, which the children also enjoy."

Director of community engagement at Co-op, Rebecca Birkbeck, said: "Co-op's members are passionate about protecting community spaces, which are important when it comes to enhancing people's quality of life.

"The company is driven by its values and principles, and last year we invested £19million into groups which are UK-wide.

"Co-op supports a wide range of initiatives, all of which are helping to make communities across the country safer, happier, and healthier places to live.

"The more people shop in Co-op, the more it can share, and the more impact we can have in communities, such as those in Long Ashton.

"People can get involved in the scheme by becoming a member, swiping their card, and choosing the cause they want to support.

"By members choosing a project near them, they are telling us what really matters in their communities."

For more information and to apply for a Co-op community fund, visit www.causes.coop.co.uk

Applications for the scheme close on July 7.