A DUDLEY school's plans for an outdoor classroom are blossoming.

Youngsters at Dudley Wood Primary School will soon be enjoying lessons in the great outdoors after work got under way to create the classroom in what was once a 'secret garden'.

Headteacher Sarah Guest said the land was given to the school by a Dudley Wood Avenue resident, adding: "It's an orchard separate to her garden and she gifted it to us a couple of years ago.

"We had the idea that we could use it to create an outdoor classroom - we have very little outdoor space, there is a playground but we don't have a field or many grassy areas."

The school secure planning permission for the development but amid worries that a discarded shed roof on the land was contaminated with asbestos, work was halted until Dudley Wood councillor Bryan Cottrill stepped in and pushed for another asbestos survey to be carried out.

But when the report came back clear, the school got the go-ahead to start clearing the land and Mrs Guest said she hopes the classroom will be completed by September.

She continued: "We want to create a space that will attract butterflies and other creatures and when the children go in there they can do some science, draw, write stories and just enjoy being outdoors.

"I'd like to thank Councillor Cotterill for supporting the school, it won't be long before the children are enjoying the space."

Cllr Cotterill told the News he was "absolutely delighted" with the project.