CHILDREN at a special school will be counting down the days until August.

The pupils from Glenburn School in Greenock are getting a £21,000 state-of-the-art play area, which will include a chute, climbing frame, scramble net and rope bridge, when they return after the summer holidays.

The school has been given a £12,000 grant from charity Children in Need to help with the cost.

And Greenock Telegraph reporter Eric Baxter raised £1,200 by running the Flora London Marathon.

This is the second time he has run the marathon to raise money for the school Head teacher Eileen McGeer said: "We wanted to brighten up the playground and give the pupils more to do.

"Installation should be carried out over the school holidays, and then we'll look at other facilities like a basketball net and football goalposts." Glenburn teaches 103 children with moderate learning difficulties.

Eric handed over his cheque at a school assembly and afterwards many of the children asked him questions about the marathon.

Mrs McGeer said: "The children watched it on TV. They're all big marathon fans now." She added: "We would like to thank everyone who showed such goodwill towards the school by contributing towards Eric's sponsorship."