It should certainly help when telling tall stories.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Wenhaston primary school children enjoying the giant story chair that has been made by local craftsmen and designed by the children.Wenhaston primary school children enjoying the giant story chair that has been made by local craftsmen and designed by the children. (Image: © Archant 2015)

Primary school pupils thought they had stepped into a fictional world when a 12ft story chair appeared in their playground.

Towering above them like a chair that would be fit for the Big Friendly Giant, it will be the centre point for pupils of Wenhaston Primary School to have their own fairytale adventures.

After a donation was left to the school by late villager Ken Roberts, the oak and cherry wood seat and 28 smaller mushroom chairs, were created by local craftsmen Crispin Chalker and Jim Parsons - who both have children who are or have attended the school. And the design of the chair was inspired by drawings from the school’s pupils.

Headteacher Amanda Fawkes said: “It was originally a competition but there were so many lovely ideas they decided to take elements of the various designs rather than pick an out right winner and the wood turners worked collaboratively with all the children’s ideas.”

As the chair was revealed there were many happy faces - with one reception pupil commenting that it looked like “a giant’s chair” - especially when popular children’s authors Gracie Wright and Colin Fletcher christened the chair by holding story telling sessions.

“Our story chair is magical and the sheer size and scale of the chair needs to be seen to be believed,” said Mrs Fawkes.

“The children have been awe struck with the dimensions of the chair which allows them to buddy up and share books as a group.

“It is also a wonderful play area which they can allow their imaginations to take flight - one day it might be a pirate ship the next a fairy castle.”

And the pupils are so impressed with their story chair; they have designed their own rules and guidelines for looking after it and keeping safe while using it.

Charlie, a Year 4 pupil, said: “It’s an amazing work of art and it’s a great place to play. Colin Fletcher is an amazing author and he writes funny stories and poems.”

Toby, also in Year 4, added: “The chair will be a great place for us to hide out and tell stories.”

Mrs Fawkes added the youngsters are now looking forward to lunchtimes spent reading to each other and imagining lands full of adventure.

Have you got a story from your school? Email rebecca.murphy@archant.co.uk.