Ref. 29742-55CHILDREN at a Swindon school had a useful lesson in saving as they collected £614.25 all in 5p pieces to buy new play equipment.

Pupils at St Mary's Catholic School, in Bessemer Road, Rodbourne, started the challenge in September, after deciding their outdoor play equipment needed modernising.

Claire Hall, of the Parent Teacher Association, said: "The children have loved collecting the coins. Each class used an old-fashioned sweet jar to collect them in.

"The children have been able to learn you benefit by saving."

The jars were collected in on Friday and children in Year 4, who collected the most coins £137 were presented with vouchers entitling them to free entry at indoor play park, Space Adventure in Shrivenham Road.