KEEN cyclist Dave Read has just set off on a nine day cycle ride to help the primary school in the village where he lives.

Mr Read will cover 543 miles around the coast of Scotland to help with a project to refurbish a mobile classroom at St Nicholas Primary in Bromham.

He sets off on Wednesday and wants to raise as much as possible towards the revamp which is expected to cost £19,000. The school has already started fundraising and so far has raised £3,700.

Headteacher Jo Lewis said: ""We are really grateful to Dave for taking on such a challenging ride to raise money for our school. He is a fantastic supporter of our school. The mobile building will be such an asset to the school once refurbished and will be used for many things including a new home for our after school club

"It will also provide additional space for music lessons and a variety of other activities including a base for outdoor learning."

Sponsorship forms have been sent home to parents and they are being urged to get friends and colleagues to join in the fundraising. To donate email admin@st-nicholasvc.wilts.sch.uk or drop a donation into the school office.

The school is also celebrating success in Bromham Carnival where its dragon entry created as part of a topic on ancient civilisations took a top prize. Mrs Lewis said: "The children had lots of fun making masks and the walking dragon which paraded around Bromham as part of the carnival procession.

"The topic covered everything from the pyramids of Egypt to the ancient dynasties of China."