Primary schools across a Borehamwood neighbourhood have received thousands of pounds worth of computers to help children learn from home.

The Leecliffe Big Local Partnership has funded the purchase of £23,000 worth of computers with donations made so far to Meryfield, Parkside, and Woodland primary schools.

The laptops and Chromebooks are helping children who are struggling to learn from home while schools are closed.

The equipment will also be available to use when schools reopen next week to help children catch up on learning they have missed out on during the lockdown.

Head teacher at Meryfield Community Primary School, Alexandra Gage, said: "We would like to thank the Leecliffe Big Local Partnership for their generous gift to our school. We are thrilled to have their support.

"Through their donation, we have been able to purchase 24 Chromebooks which will be used by some of our children, who unfortunately do not have any device at home to access home learning or are sharing a device with siblings.

"Once everyone returns to school, we will be able to use these extra Chromebooks to support learning across the school by using them to provide specific programmes for those children with additional learning needs and those requiring extra support as a result of lost learning during the pandemic.

"Leecliffe's donation has truly made all the difference for us, and we are extremely grateful."

Leecliffe Big Local was set up around ten years ago as part of a National Lottery initiative to invest money into deprived communities.

Borehamwood was chosen to be a part of this initiative with £1 million set aside to be spent by 2026 in the Cowley Hill and Brookmeadow areas of Borehamwood.

Explaining the donation of laptops recently, chairman of Leecliffe Big Local Donna Inwood, said: "We have been in consultation with the local council and other agencies regarding the problems children have been facing in the area during this pandemic and have responded by contacting the schools to identify and satisfy their immediate needs regarding the shortfall of computer equipment.