STAFF and pupils at Swindon's Churchfields School are on a mission to fill a gap not in the curriculum but in a ceiling.

The school science block bears a gaping vault in its roof space.

It is not a structural fault, just a cavity which children are hoping to fill with a large model or something similar that could be suspended in the void.

They are making a plea for individuals or companies to donate anything that might fit the bill. Acting head of science, Sarah Wilson, said: "There's a very large space between the ground floor and the ceiling. It is enormous.

"It's such a huge area and there is nothing in it. It would lend itself very well to some sort of display.

"I used to teach at a school with a very similar set-up but we had the skeleton of a whale suspended in the space. I thought it would be a great idea to do the same for the new science block. I was thinking perhaps the chassis of a car or any eye-catching model or anything with a scientific bias.

"We would love a skeleton but I doubt anyone would have something like that in their back yard."

Anyone who can help the school should contact Mrs Wilson on Swindon 487286.