A campaign has begun to help disabled youngsters who desperately need play equipment.

Thousands of pounds are needed to provide a climbing frame and slide for children with learning disabilities at Greenfield School in Idle.

The 53 pupils currently have no equipment in their playground and school leaders are keen to make their break times more exciting.

Youngsters at the Boothroyd Drive school are aged between two and 11, and come from all over the district.

Janet Taylor, the head teacher, said: "Our play equipment has to be very, very sturdy indeed, so it is very expensive. We need to spend between £3,000 and £7,000. At the moment we have just an empty playground, the children could do with something to stimulate them."

Staff and parents have already raised around £2,000 through a number of events since Christmas.

A well-supported spring fayre at Shipley Library at the weekend is thought to have raised a further £1,000 - but the fundraising is set to continue.

Cash is always needed on top of the school's normal budget, to take the children out on trips to the supermarket and to cafs.

Mrs Taylor explained that the outings were part of the children's learning.

"We teach them social skills, such as how to sit and stay at a table in a caf or how to queue up in a shop," she said. "It's part of their social and personal education. It comes on top of the normal curriculum."

Julie Wilkinson, of Wilsden, whose five year old son Jacob goes to Greenfield, said: "The school is absolutely brilliant. Everyone supports each other at the school - you have to when your child has such profound difficulties.

"The children tend to wear the equipment out very quickly, which is why we as parents want to put something back in."

John Hodgson, from Dudley Hill, is the father of six year old Philip, who is autistic.

He said: "The spring fayre had a really good turnout - we need the money for trips out for the children, as well as new equipment."

Fundraising is a constant challenge, as the school also hopes to provide a wooden walkway for youngsters who use wheelchairs. After that, it will be time to replace the school minibus.

Anyone who can help the school is asked to call Mrs Taylor on (01274) 619206.