PUPILS at a Rhyl school for children with additional requirements can enjoy exploring outside again following the transformation of a "neglected and unsafe" learning space.

A team of 14 volunteers from Marks & Spencer (M&S) Prestatyn have lent a helping hand - and some green thumbs - to Rhyl special educational needs school Ysgol Tir Morfa to rejuvenate the school’s outdoor area as part of a nationwide week of action to support young people.

The school, which has more than 140 special needs pupils aged three to 19, reached out to to the store on Prestatyn Shopping Park for support Parc Prestatyn Shopping Park after its garden became overgrown and unsafe for the children to play in over the summer.

Rhona O’Neill, head master of Tir Morfa said: “The garden had become neglected and unsafe so we were thrilled at the prospect of being able to take the children back outside to explore. The students are already enjoying the space and we’re confident they will for many months to come.

"We pride ourselves on giving the children the opportunity to thrive in a safe environment with specific support and couldn’t thank the M&S team enough for their help in rejuvenating our outdoor space."

The M&S volunteer team rolled up their sleeves and got to work clearing debris and making the space fully wheelchair accessible. The renovation project was a joint effort with the school pupils, who got stuck in helping give the garden a new lease of life for the community to enjoy over the summer.

Tina Jones, Store Manager of M&S Prestatyn said: “We’re really proud to be coming together as a team to support Tir Morfa.

"The way the school enables its students to thrive and overcome the barriers they may face is something we know our customers care about too and we were really pleased to be able to get stuck into revamping their outdoor space. Volunteering makes a profound difference to communities, and we believe that lots of small actions from lots of people creates a lasting impact to initiatives that do so much good for young people in Rhyl.”

For more information about M&S’s Volunteer Week, visit neighbourly.com/VolunteerWeek.