A SENSORY room which cost up to £10,000 through massive fundraising efforts by a Taunton school was officially opened by the local MP Jeremy Browne in November 2011.

Mr Browne attended the official opening of the new relaxation room at North Town Primary School alongside other special guests who helped raise the cash.

Mr Browne said: “This room has been developed to help not only children with autism, but also children who might find school stressful, and is aimed at their well-being.

“It’s obvious that children who are contented at school will perform better, and having such a special facility at North Town is a great asset. The room projects a sense of calm and is cleverly designed to help children relax.

“The team effort to fundraise was amazing with staff, parents, governors and children coming together. Such was the determination to collect enough money that fundraising activities even included a parachute jump.”

Mike Snowden, head teacher, said: “The official opening went very well. The children were very enthusiastic about it and had a speech prepared for Jeremy about how they feel when they’re in the room and how it helps them.

“We also had guests including one mum whose son benefits from the room and one of our crossing patrol members, who both jumped out of a plane to raise money for it.

“One parent had written to David Beckham about two years ago and he donated £1,000 to the project. It has been about two years in the making since we needed to raise the money. It has cost close to £10,000 altogether.”

The room had bean bag chairs and cushions, and a bubble maker which produces glow-in-the-dark bubbles.

A bubble tube also allowed children to change the colour of the bubbles and LED lights in the ceiling which slowly change the room’s ambience.