In a competition worth £2,500 to the winning school, Croydons budding young landscape designers are dreaming up fantastic plans for transforming their school grounds this month and next.

The competition was set up after research by competition organisers Learning through Landscapes (LTL) found the quality of a childs outdoor environment while they are at school has a huge effect on the way they learn.

A spokesman for the charity which is supported by London Electricity said several schools could benefit with prizes upwards of £200, which they hope will be spent on projects focusing on delivering the curriculum outdoors.

The spokesman said: Lack of funding is a major block to schools investing creatively in the spaces where their pupils spend up to a third of their school day.

An estimated 30,000 children from over 100 schools took part in last years London-wide scheme which awarded prizes to designs for solar powered water features, medieval gardens, interactive wood sculptures and modern amphitheatres.

Schools received entry forms before Christmas and will find out who won in May. The deadline for entries is Friday, February 23. Contact Chris May on 020 850 3112 or you can email london@ltl.org.uk for

information.