CHILDREN across Worcestershire have been celebrating after their schools were given a share of £25,000 from our Cash for Schools competition.

All of the schools who won a slice of the cash giveaway organised by us and Western Power Distribution have received their money.

Among the top prize winners was St Barnabas CE Primary School, Oldbury Park Primary, Nunnery Wood Primary and Cherry Orchard Primary.

St Barnabas CE Primary School in Worcester scooped the top prize of £5,000 which it will use to transform a neglected space into an outdoor classroom for its year 1 pupils.

The inspiring outdoor space will feature water play, a sandpit and outdoor musical instruments.

A staggering 24,170 votes were cast with St Barnabas, in Green Lane, clocking up 3,744 to win first prize.

Oldbury Park Primary took the second prize of £3,000 after putting forward a project to rejuvenate its foyer and create a bright reading and reception area.

The school has promised to use ideas put forward by the children to transform the space.

The St John's school finished in second place after collecting 2,968 votes.

In third place with 1,771 votes was Nunnery Wood Primary, in Prestwich Avenue, which has received £1,500 towards its plans to create a whole school allotment.

The school hopes its project will enable all classes at the school to grow their own fruit and vegetables and discover more about where food comes from.

Also given £1,500 was Cherry Orchard Primary school in St Peter's after finishing fourth with 1,748 votes.

The Timberdine Close school has plans for an ambitious project to turn an old red bus into a fun library.

Another 26 schools across South Worcestershire have also received a boost from the cash, which was shared across 30 schools so more schoolchildren could benefit.

Worcester News editor Peter John said: "It has been wonderful to hear about the many projects planned in Worcestershire's primary and middle schools and to be able to support them.

"We look forward to seeing how these inspiring ideas - which have often come from the young people themselves - come to fruition.

"Thank you to all our readers for voting for their favourite ones."