YOUNGSTERS at Elphinstone Primary School have unveiled their new brightly decorated friendship bench.

The bench, which was built for the school by Macmerry Men’s Shed, will take pride of place in the playground, offering pupils the chance to reach out for help when they are lonely, upset or just need someone to play with.

The seat is inspired by Buddy Benches, first introduced in the United States some years ago, to help youngsters who found themselves on their own.

The benches offer a place they can sit which alerts fellow pupils to the fact they are looking for someone to play with or talk to, with other youngsters encouraged to step in and help.

Some schools designate senior pupils with responsibility for looking out for children who sit on the bench, while others encourage all pupils to take responsibility for monitoring the bench.

Elphinstone’s bench was handed over to the school late last year by the Men’s Shed volunteers and pupils from P3 to P7 have been hard at work painting it the colour of the rainbow, with brightly coloured daisies and insects added to prepare it for its launch.

Heather Williamson, headteacher, said all the children were encouraged to take ownership of the bench.

She said: “The rainbow was used because it represents happiness and the daisy chain friendship.”

The painting project was overseen by arts teacher Morag McLeod.