The headteacher of Mill Water School, which is based a Bicton Arena, has express her gratitude after being presented with a cheque for £200.

Julie Marish and Lyndsey Trimmer, from Waitrose in Sidmouth, presented the money to headteacher Sarah Pickering after the shop chose the school for its ‘community matters’ project.

As part of the scheme, Waitrose gives tokens to its customers at the end of their shop, which they can put in a box dedicated to a regional cause.

Mill Water School caters for children with ‘profound and severe’ learning difficulties and moved to its Bicton Arena base last year.

Headteacher Sarah Pickering said the money would be used to pay for new play equipment.

She said: “Since we moved to our new school building in the grounds of Bicton College, we have been looking for ways to improve our outdoor spaces.

“This donation from Waitrose will help us buy new play equipment, which our pupils will really enjoy.

“Thank-you to Waitrose, and their customers, for their generous support and for choosing to help us and our pupils.”