IT IS hoped the imagination of school children will be fuelled thanks to a new playground toy.

Pupils at St James Primary School, in East Hanney, near Wantage, bought a role play house with a £500 grant from The Midcounties Co-op.

Charlie Weeks, front, is pictured with fellow pupils Hannah Spindler, Isobel Hodson and Dominic, all five, at the playhouse with John Russell, manager of the Co-op’s Grove store, and Esther Margett who was on work experience at the store.

The small chalet-style house will be used by about 45 pupils to work and play games. It can be transformed into anything from a holiday home to a doctors' surgery.

Teacher Janet Ragon-Chamberscorr said: "Role playing is a very important part of a child's learning."