CHILDREN at St Peter’s Academy in Chippenham could soon be putting their best foot forward and running rings around teachers if a proposed running track is built at the school.

The new facility would be just under 400 metres long and one-and-a-half metres wide which would go around the outer perimeter of the school.

The school, located on Lords Mead, needs £15,000 to build the track which it hopes to collect in the coming months.

Headteacher Mark Everett said: “We’re hoping to get it done and installed in the summer holidays.

“We need £15,000 and we got £10,000 from the National Lottery Fund, Chippenham Town Council also gave us £2,000 and we’ve applied for a grant from the Chippenham Borough Lands.

“The Friends of St Peter’s Academy have been helping us with fundraising.

“We have been looking at getting it for 18 months because exercise, health and fitness are a big thing at our school.

“Last year teachers noticed children running around the field doing laps and although our field is great in the summer it does become quote soggy in the winter.”

The school hopes that the new facility once completed will also be used by other groups and clubs in the town, including Chippenham Harriers.

Kelly Wariner, communications officer at Chippenham Harriers, said: “There's a good possibility that Chippenham Harriers Youth members would be able to use this track as part of their sessions, which would be brilliant.

“This opportunity to run at a new venue would offer a different type of training session and provide a great experience for our young athletes.”

Mr Everett added: “Chippenham Harriers came down last week and they gave it their backing.

“It’s for the community, on a small scale we have got a playgroup next door who are saying they will use it which is great.”