A group of apprentices have won an award for their creative transformation of a school playground in Ayr.

GE Caledonian’s apprentice team designed and manufactured an interactive STEM Playground at Annbank primary at no cost, using scrap materials.

The team began the challenge by covering an old fence around the playground with upcycled pallets, enabling it to hold features such as a water wall, cog wheels and pipe drums.

It only took the team three months to transform the playground and the results were fantastic.

The Ayrshire Business Awards announced GE Caledonian as joint winners of the Ayrshire Apprenticeship Community Challenge 2018, along with Prestwick company, Spirit Aerosystems.

GE Caledonian apprentice leader, Stephen MacNab said: “The challenge was to complete the project with no budget, they successfully completed this and installed all of the STEM games and activities at no cost.

“The materials were all sourced from what was available around the site and donations of fence paint from employees and parents.

“It is easy for companies to just throw money at these projects. The fun and ingenuity begins when you have to be creative with no cash!”

Annbank Nursery Teacher, Laura Steward said: “Their ideas and commitment have resulted in our Early Years garden being transformed into an outdoor learning environment that is truly inspirational - promoting curiosity, inquiry and creativity.

“The dedication of the team has been second to none and we have been extremely fortunate indeed to have had them on board!”