A SENSORY garden, play area or bike sheds – whatever the vision for your school, the Dorset Echo can help make that a reality.

We have teamed up with construction company Leadbitter to offer primary schools in Dorset a chance to win a share of £6,000 to put towards an outdoor makeover project of their choice.

The top prize is construction work or equipment worth £3,000 with prizes of £2,000 and £1,000 for the runners-up.

The project is all about encouraging learning, improving schools’ green credentials, promoting exercise and making the playground a more child-friendly place to be.

So whatever it is, from a new play area or sensory garden, to a wildlife conservation area, vegetable garden or store for PE equipment, the Echo and Leadbitter can make it happen.

The construction company is based in the South of England with its headquarters at Hedge End near Southampton.

The firm is currently undertaking £35million-worth of work in Dorchester including the construction of luxury houses, a hotel, commercial space at the Brewery Square development and work at the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre.

Regional director of Leadbitter Dave Cook said the company was inspired to get involved with the project because it wanted to connect with the community.

He said: “It’s all about helping the local community and giving something back to the area we are working in.

“It’s something that is deep routed in the company, the need to connect with the local community with which you are working.”

He added: “It’s a great opportunity and I would urge schools to just go for it and enter their ideas.”

The competition is open to all primary, infant and junior schools in the Dorset Echo area. Those wanting to be in with a chance to win should fill in the application form on this page and tell us in no more than 200 words about your project, what it would involve and why you need it.

All applications need to be in by Friday, June 10. Then a judging panel will whittle the entrants down to the finalists before Dorset Echo readers decide the final three winning projects by a voucher collection system.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville urged schools to make the most of this unique opportunity.

He said: “I am delighted that thanks to Leadbitter, the Dorset Echo has been given this great opportunity to help our schools get a chance at winning some fantastic new equipment.

“Pupils here could soon be having fun on new play equipment, growing a sensory garden – or maybe something else schools have in mind.

“For your chance to win thousands of pounds for your school, all you need to do is follow our coverage in the Dorset Echo and get involved.”