A school's outdoor space has been transformed.

Adlington Primary School, located near the Macclesfield Wastewater Treatment Works, has been struggling to maintain its green spaces due to financial constraints.

Now, thanks to volunteers from United Utilities and their contractor C2V, the school has a new sensory garden designed to support children with special educational needs and provide a welcoming space for older residents and the wider community.

 Headteacher Steph Swinson said: "As a small school, financial pressures make it hard to maintain and improve our outdoor space.

"This support has made a huge difference, creating a fantastic learning environment for our pupils."

The new garden will benefit children with special educational needs (Credit: UU)

The idea came after United Utilities' environmental regulatory manager Alison Greenwood spoke to C2V's Chris Robinson, works manager at Macclesfield Wastewater Treatment Works, while visiting the site.

Keen to support a local community project, they reached out to the school, which welcomed the offer of help.

 Alison, who took part in the event, said: "Everyone pulled together – from the C2V team to the school staff, parents and pupils – and the result is something special.

"The children were in awe, and it was fantastic to see their excitement as the garden came to life.

"We're so proud to support projects like this that make a real difference in the community."

Volunteer Henry Hodge (Credit: UU)

 Over the course of three days, the United Utilities and C2V team worked alongside parents, staff and pupils to create a raised sensory garden, installing 12 wooden sleepers and filling paths with stones, wood shavings, and bark.

C2V pallets were turned into bug hotels, with pupils helping to stack them for insect habitats.

Picnic tables and gardening tools were donated, as well as materials such as tyres for seating, willow planters, topsoil and posts for a future shelter.

James Logan, from C2V, said: "We're proud of the work we do, not just in delivering vital infrastructure, but in supporting local communities.

"Projects like this show how small contributions can make a big difference, and it's fantastic to create something that will benefit the community for years to come."

Tools donated by C2V (Credit: UU)

Adlington Primary is close to Macclesfield Wastewater Treatment Works, where United Utilities is investing £50 million to improve water quality in the River Bollin.

This is part of a multi-million-pound programme to enhance river health across Cheshire, helping to create a cleaner, greener environment for communities.