STAFF at a special school have launched a fundraising campaign to raise £20,000 to make much-need improvements to the playground.

White Ash Primary School in Thwaites Road in Oswaldtwistle has around 90 pupils with a variety of special needs.

The problems with the playground started in 2009 when the school changed from serving children up to 19 to primary education.

The school has been hit by a number of cuts which has left them with no money to improve the playground, and now staff have taken action.

Darren Houghton, one of the members of staff leading the fundraising, said it was essential children got the safe and secure playground they needed.

The teaching assistant said: “Some areas of the playground are not fit for purpose.

“It means some of the children are unable to access some or all of the areas and equipment.

“For some of the children in wheelchairs it’s not safe for them to be on their own unsupervised," Mr Houghton added.

“It’s essential we do this to make it safe.

“We just want to make it safe and fun for children to enjoy, now and for future generations.”

The space is used not only at playtime, but for PE, after-school clubs, holiday play schemes and other lessons.

The first thing staff want to do is replace the majority of the unusable muddy areas with specialised rubber flooring, which they estimate will cost around £5,000.

They also want to be able to install ‘fun, educational and colourful’ playground markings and a bucket swing for children to use.

Staff also want to remove some of the bushes to create a safer and larger playing environment for everyone and to make it safe and accessible area for sensory learners in order for them to experience the environment as often as possible.

The changes will be carried out as soon as possible but it is estimated £20,000 will be needed to complete them all.

So far more than £2,000 has been raised by staff at the school with a variety of fundraising tasks and challenge.

Future events planned include a sponsored walk up The Coppice in Accrington, and staff are also looking into organising a fun run.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/white-ash-school-playground-fund.