YOUNGSTERS at a Devizes junior school can get creative at playtime thanks to a pod full of scrap materials that can be used to create dens and dress-up costumes.

The Playpod is available for children at Southbroom St James Academy to use during lunch breaks.

Headteacher Nigel Andrews said: "We commissioned the Scrapstore Playpod training and service to enhance lunchtimes to encourage a creative approach to play. This will enable inclusion, creativity, problem solving and risk taking in a controlled environment.

"This project is not only additional resources for the playground but a change in ethos and approach to play which will benefit our children."

He said the project had been funded by a trust fund application to Diocese of Salisbury Board of Education.

He said: "Our thanks goes to them for funding this scheme and enabling a more creative approach to play at our school."

Wiltshire Scrapstore provides the school with scrap and recyclable materials which otherwise may have gone to landfill.

Mr Andrews said: "We are excited about the introduction of this approach to children developing their play and believe that it will engage children in their play and enable learning through play and enable them to be more ready to learn after lunch.

"Children have already responded positively and have spoken about their use of the Playpod being exciting, engaging and far more fun."