AFTER almost 12 years of insufficient outdoor space River Mead Primary School in Melksham finally has a new external sports area.

Since the school was converted from Lowbourne Infants into a primary in 2004, there has been a 65 per cent deficiency in outside play areas.

The new facility, built on a tennis court adjacent to the school, provides the pupils an all-purpose play area with spaces for cricket, football, basketball, netball and a grassy area.

Head teacher, Nicki Henderson, said: “It is a relief to have the space. The children and staff are delighted.

“It is helpful as well that it is fenced so the children are safe and secure to do their sports. Previously, for example, when we have done our sports events we have done it in King George V Park.

“Now the children can show us what they can do. We hope to have an England footballer or an Olympian one day.

“The children are really proud of the new space and it has risen the way they feel about the school.

“We do have a small playground so it is not as if the children were kept in all the time. We have made the most of the space we had until now."

Following a vote among the children it was decided to name the area after the bird emblazoned on the school's logo; King Fisher Court.

Money for the playground had been reserved by Wiltshire Council since the school's conversion to a primary but adequate land could not be found in the area.

When the Mead Academy Trust took over what was King’s Academy in September 2014 they proposed to convert the tennis court adjacent to the school into the new development.

The opening of the arena was attended by Melksham mayor Terri Welch, with GP triathlete and Olympic torch bearer Rachel Brown.

Cllr Welch said: “It was brilliant. The kids were having a whale of a time. It really was wonderful and it is a superb facility.

“They have needed it for a long time. Unluckily it was one of those schools put in one place and it outgrew the space.

“The tennis courts were always in need of tender loving care. It really looked good and it is a purpose built play thing.

“It is a wonderful playing service. It must be very easy to run and jump and do the things that kids do.”