Riverwalk School in Bury St Edmunds receives seven-foot replica of Tower Bridge from West Suffolk College

A school for children with learning needs was gifted a seven-foot replica of one of the UK’s most famous landmarks thanks to a link up with a college.

Earlier this year, staff and students from West Suffolk College (WSC) created the replica of Tower Bridge to showcase their skills to the public at this year’s Suffolk Show.

Visitors could then put their schools forward to win the finished creation, and Riverwalk School in Bury St Edmunds was randomly drawn out of the hat.

Representatives from the college delivered the bridge this week and Lukasz Rumanowski, interim assistant leader of the school, was delighted.

Mr Rumanowski said: “Reaction from staff has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Students were surprised but happy to see it. It’s important for us to maintain links with other institutions. I wanted to say a big thank you to the students who made it and to the college.”

Ben Moye, a level two joinery apprentice who studies at West Suffolk College and works for TMJ Interiors, helped put the bridge together.

He said: “It’s really good to see it on display somewhere. It was a real team effort and the school seemed pleased.”

Lecturer Brian Tunbridge said: “All of the students are current apprentices who work for TMJ Interiors. They worked hard on this project and I’m extremely proud of them. It’s great to team up with Riverwalk and it was a great moment to see the finished bridge take centre stage in the school grounds.”

Parts of the bridge have areas for plants to grow and staff and students at Riverwalk School will be maintaining these throughout the year.