A PRIMARY school has bagged several thousand pounds to spruce up its pond and meadows.

During September and October last year Epping Primary School's pond project went up for public vote in Epping, Ongar and Theydon Bois Tesco's Bags for Help scheme.

With all the votes counted, the school was crowned the winner and the recipient of £4,000.

It will use the funds to develop and preserve the nature area in its grounds and to build a wooden 'dipping platform' to enable pupils to safely observe pond life.

Tracy O’Donnell, headteacher, said: “The pond is an invaluable asset to our school and the new dipping platform and improvements to the meadow area will further enable our pupils to use it to enhance their learning.

"We really appreciate Tesco’s support with our project.”