Ref. 72615-31 Lainesmead Primary School pupils Megan Coe, four, and Waqar Butt, four, lay out their coinsFUTURE Carol Vordermans were playing with numbers during a series of special numeracy fun days.

Youngsters at Lainesmead Primary School in South View Avenue enjoyed fun and games designed to improve their knowledge of numbers.

They each brought in coins to count which were laid in lines in the playground. Donna Saxby, the school's numeracy co-ordinator, said: "We are trying to raise the profile and give the children a more hands on approach to maths.

"The children were given lessons on shape and space and other maths problems and were asked to bring in a bag of small change, which helped to teach them about money. We have managed to get some parents and governors involved as well.

"We want to make maths as fun and exciting as we can and not give them textbooks and worksheets to work from."

At the end of the numeracy fun days, yesterday and today, the coins brought in will be donated to the maths department.

The children will then decide what maths equipment they would like to see the money spent on.

Earlier this year, the Friends of Lainesmead Primary School began fundraising efforts for a pagoda to shade pupils from the sun when they are out in the playground.