STUDENTS at Banbury and Bicester College cooked up a storm to help with fundraising efforts after a Bicester school's playground equipment was destroyed.

Last week, students at the college's learning difficulties department donated £30 of their regular cooking fund to buy ingredients and put on a breakfast club in aid of Bardwell School.

Bardwell, which caters for youngsters with special needs, saw shed full of bikes, scooters and play equipment burned to the ground in a New Year's Day arson attack.

A suspect was identified by Thames Valley Police last week and parents and the community have raised more than £4,000 to help replace the burnt items.

Banbury and Bicester College student Poppy Bannerman, 17, was among those serving up bacon sandwiches, tea and coffee at the Banbury campus on Friday.

She said: "We are helping Bardwell because it was dreadful what happened there."

Tutor Lucy Donaghy added: "Banbury and Bicester College Foundation Department has always had a great relationship with Bardwell School and we were really saddened to hear what had happened. Our students were really keen to help and we planned fundraisers throughout the week.

"On Thursday we sent some sports equipment over to them. They have been overwhelmed with the support from the community."