GALLERY It's a cash-tastic start to the holiday for some Suffolk schools today!Hundreds of pupils in Suffolk's primary schools are set to benefit from a cash windfall after striking lucky in The Evening Star's Cash for Schools competition.

IT'S a cash-tastic start to the holiday for some Suffolk schools today!

Hundreds of pupils in Suffolk's primary schools are set to benefit from a cash windfall after striking lucky in The Evening Star's Cash for Schools competition.

And it's second time lucky for overall winner Heathside School, which also scooped the £2,000 top prize in last year's competition.

Odran Doran, head teacher of the Heath Road school in Ipswich said last year the money was put towards the school mini-bus fund and while no decision has been taken on what to do with this year's winnings he said it could be spent in a similar way.

Mr Doran said: “It is fantastic. We're really pleased that so many people have supported us again.

"Thank you to The Evening Star and to Barclays.”

Six other schools were lucky runners up and now have £500 to spend.

Bentley Primary, Otley Primary, Halifax Primay, Somersham Primary, Sprites Primary and Dale Hall Lane Primary School are now all thinking of ways to spend their extra pennies.

Joe McSorley, head teacher at Bentley Primary School, said: "We're going to take the children to see the rock and roll pantomime at the Wolsey Theatre in January.

"We went last year and they had a wonderful time. It is money we did not have a few weeks ago so the children can get some fun out of it."

And at Otley Primary School, youngsters will be benefiting from some extra shelter for their key stage one and foundation area.

Jan Hubbard, school head, said: "We can't really go out there at all at the moment because it can get very hot and there is no shelter at all from the rain. We're delighted to have the money."

Anna Hennell James, head teacher at Halifax Primary School in Prince of Wales Road, Ipswich said: "We're very excited. In September we'll ask the school council how they would like to see it spent to improve the school. I think it might go towards our eco projects but they will decide.

"It was a surprise for us for win. It's all thanks to the parents and everyone who cut out the vouchers for us."

Shaun Valentine, head teacher at Sprites Primary School in Stonechat Road, Ipswich, said their money will be spent on developing the school grounds and play activities. He said: “It's a fantastic achievement for the children. They get a real buzz entering these competitions and strive to get vouchers.

“The children were really happy to find out they'd come runners up.”

Gill Durrant, bursar of Dale Hall Primary School in Dale Hall Lane, Ipswich, said: “We have done really well.

“We got the runner up prize last year and bought digital cameras for every year group. This year we will be putting the money towards mathematics games that the children can take home to enhance their learning or use in the classrooms.”

What would you like to see money spent on at your child's school? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

CASH for Schools was open to every primary school in Suffolk and each school that took part was given £50.

Each school got collection boxes, posters and a banner and tokens were printed daily in The Evening Star.

The competition was run in association with Barclays Bank and relatives and friends collecting the tokens could put them in collection boxes and envelopes at their nearest branch of Barclays.

Sue Gipps, sales and marketing manager for The Evening Star said: “I was delighted that so many schools took part.

“There were 65 this year which was up on last year. We had a fantastic response to it and I would like to thank Barclays for their support in this competition.”