THE ribbon was cut on a new quiet area in the gardens of Ivy Lane School last week.

The garden, designed by the school's children and lovingly tended by the enthusiasts in the school's gardening club, has been a year in the making.

It will now be somewhere quiet and attractive for pupils to read, sketch or just to enjoy their packed lunches.

Ivy Lane deputy headteacher, Tracey Horan, said: "The quiet area has been a real group project.

"The children helped to get up the design.

"We were also extremely lucky to receive £1,300 from Wavin and money from Sainsbury's.

"All the timber which has been used in the garden was donated by Jewson.

"Our site manager, Bernard Sanderson, worked very hard to put together the pergola which takes pride of place in the quiet area. The staff all came in one Saturday to paint the pergola and the benches."

The official opening ceremony ribbon was cut by the Ivy Lane governors' chairman Trevor Ranger who congratulated the school on the wonderful display of flowers, including petunias and fuchsias.

"The garden really is pretty," said Mrs Horan. "The gardening club has put in a lot of effort and it has really paid off.

"All the year groups in the school are very proud of the quiet area, and they are all really enjoying spending time there."