IT WAS a feat worthy of Challenge Anneka when 43 volunteers spruced up a special school in just one day.

The project saw digging, weeding and planting at Kingsdown School, in Snakes Lane, Eastwood to improve the facilities for disabled children.

A team from Royal Bank of Scotland renovated the karaoke room, games room, playground, sensory garden, and seniors' common room, within a strict time limit.

The project was organised by Jo Saunders, who works at the company's credit card centre in Westcliff, but there were also staff from Edinburgh, Farnborough, London, Manchester and Southend, who were given a wish list by the children of things they wanted.

She said: "A lot of the guys were travelling from Edinburgh the night before and got to the school at 8.30am greet all the children.

"They were taught sign language to say hello' amd good morning' which was fantastic.

"We've managed to get everything off the wish list and they had some very extravagant things like a TV, a Wii for the seniors' common room, DVD players , iPods and karaoke tapes.

"My boss came to the school to meet them and bought a Nintendo Wii out of her own money and I bought microphones for the karaoke room. Everybody has donated lots of things."

RBS put £2,500 towards the project, and staff managed to get donations from companies including Waitrose, B&Q and Currys, and had local painter and decorator Dave Tweedie provide his time and expertise for free.

Jackie West, office manager at the school, said the games room had been looking particularly drab before the revamp.

She added: "The club we run there promotes communication and social skills and builds their confidence.

"We needed some new games to stimulate the children, mainly board games but RBS also gave us some lovely giant skittles and giant snakes and ladders."