A SUMMER of hard work has paid off for a team of parents who have worked hard to revamp Okehampton College's sixth form block.

Michelle Batstone, Fiona Carlyon and Lori Hyams approached the college about doing some work at the college after visiting for the sixth form open day.

The trio wanted to try and make improvements to the sixth form common room and quiet study room before the start of the autumn term.

Among the problems in the sixth form area was that the common room suffered from damp.

They applied to Exeter University for support, which donated more than £3,000 worth of furniture for the project as part of their sustainability programme.

From there, the project grew, with donations of paint and equipment from Tinhay Builders, Mole Avon, Toast, and Wickes, furniture from Initial Medical, £350 from Okehampton Rotary for a toaster, fridge, bar stools and other items for the common room, and free work from Parklands Plumbing and Heating to sort the common room's ventilation and damp issues.

Reddaways Removals provided storage for the furniture while painting and renovations were carried out.

Upon seeing the enthusiasm for the project, the college agreed to pay for a new floor and ceiling. The revamp of the common room and quiet study room was designed by Tracie Martin, and the design was put before students at the end of the summer term.

They gave their input, which shaped the final design, and a team of parents and students gave weeks of their time over the school holidays to get the project finished.

Michelle Batstone, one of the parents involved, said: 'When we came into the college sixth form open day, we had a look around and we all thought that something had to be done to make this a better place to learn for our children.

'We contacted the college and they were keen on the idea. After that it snowballed and got bigger, with the kind donations from the local businesses and organisations.

'We have had a lot of support and the work of the teenagers has been a great help to get it all finished. Compared with how it looked, it really looks amazing now, and we are proud of it.'

Principal Darryl Chapman said: 'What the team of parents and teenagers have done is wonderful.

'They have created an environment conducive to learning, and it will really benefit our youngsters.

'They are lucky to have such a space, and we as a college are lucky and grateful for the hard work put in by the team over the summer.'

The new common and quiet study rooms were officially opened on Wednesday, September 5, just in time for the start of the new autumn term.