PUPILS at a Southampton school now have a level playing field when it comes to break time - thanks to the hard work of teachers, governors and parents.

Bevois Town primary school has flattened out the playground in a four-month project costing £78,000. No longer do the children have to run up and down a slope.

Two-thirds of the playground has been flattened and there are new goal posts as well as an Astroturf pitch for more ball games to be played.

The remaining area has been resurfaced and marked up for basketball.

Saints player David Prutton visited the 190-pupil school in Honeysuckle Road to officially open the new community playground.

He talked to the youngsters about his recent ten-match ban and spoke of his regret at his own bad behaviour on the pitch.

The new sports facilities will also be available for use by community groups.

Headteacher Harrie Atkinson said: "It will improve considerably the quality of physical education we are able to provide for our children and it will give the community an area in which sports can be developed outside of school hours."

Paul Hancocks, vice-chairman of governors, said: "In the past the teaching staff have had to use a great deal of ingenuity to get the best out of what was a sub-standard facility and it must be a big encouragement for them that it's been brought up to date.

"The children are also looking forward to making use of it and given that the government is so keen on combating obesity and promoting physical activity, this will enable the school to provide both in-school and after-school physical activities for the children."

The school spent £48,000 on the project while Southampton Local Education Authority gave £30,000 towards the rest of the cost of the project.