FIVE-pence vouchers have been turned into thousands of pounds for Mersea Island School.

Under an East of England Co-op scheme, shoppers at the society’s supermarket in Barfield Road, West Mersea, were given special vouchers to help the school put the finishing touches to its new school hall project.

In all, 380,562 were collected, which the Co-op converted into a cheque for £19,028.10.

Headteacher Susan Shenton said: “The pupils and staff at Mersea Island School are absolutely delighted and overwhelmed by the generosity of the Co-op and their customers in raising such a phenomenal sum for the school.

“The local community has supported the scheme throughout, and ensured that as many vouchers as possible have been handed into the school office.

“We have even received vouchers by post from the home address of summer visitors.”

With planning permission now secured, Mrs Shenton said building work would begin at the end of term.

“Rising material costs mean that we only just have enough capital funding to finance the project,” she explained.

“The Co-op money will go towards setting up the new hall with the necessary staging, furniture, lighting, audio-visual provision and gymnastics equipment.

“Both the existing hall and the new hall will be available for use by the community outside of school hours.”