PUPILS at Lytham CE Primary School have been bowled over by United Co-op's sports for schools scheme.

The school, on Park View Road, has gained extra sports equipment after pupils, parents and locals collected more than 4,000 vouchers which they swapped for items such as bean bags, tennis and netball equipment.

The scheme was launched in September, 1998, in partnership with the English Schools Football Association. Vouchers are given out to shoppers at participating United Co-op stores.

Michael Eatough, headteacher at Lytham CE primary, said the initiative has particularly provided a lot of useful netball equipment. "Everybody is really delighted with all the sports equipment which we have got through the Co-op scheme," he added.