AN Ivybridge primary school is tantalisingly close to getting its new teaching kitchen up and running, but is calling for further support to finish the job.

The Friends of the Erme Primary School invested the fruits of months of fundraising last year in all the equipment for the new kitchen, including a dishwasher, two fridges and sinks, and base and wall units.

Everything has now been painted and most of the kitchen has been installed. Unfortunately, as the cost of electrical work was more than originally anticipated, the Friends are looking for further help to raise enough money to complete the project.

Friends chairman Kay Winstone said: ‘We have had such great support to get us this far but we still need help with some hard-wearing black flooring, two red vertical blinds, and utensils to kit the kitchen out. So if anyone can help with those then please contact me on 07980 116104 or [email protected].

‘The existing school kitchen is owned and run by a private company and the school is unable to use it for teaching purposes or outside school hours. We would therefore like to create a bespoke kitchen area that can be used for regular school cookery clubs, which will be run by one of our enthusiastic teachers. We already have a waiting list of children wanting to be involved.’

Once completed, a big launch of the new facilities is being planned for around Easter. The Friends have already received support from local pub the Miners Arms, and are contacting celebrity chefs who may be interested in judging a mini Great British Bake Off-style competition.