A PRIMARY school has been given a £7,500 boost in modern technology through funds generated by a restaurant.

Somerford Primary Community School has been given 15 iPads after the money was raised through donations from diners at Pebble Beach restaurant in Barton-On-Sea.

And headteacher Chris Nourse said the tablet computers would provide invaluable help to aid education.

He said: “Somerford is an area that needs a bit of support and the iPads can really motivate the chil-dren and improve their learning.

“You give a five-year-old an iPad and they are soon navigating around.

“Luckily they chose to help us and it’s especially nice because local people visiting the restaurant have said “yes I will put a pound in and that has grown”.

The restaurant set up a charitable trust seven years ago and diners are invited to give £1 per table.

The trust has donated more than £90,000 for different groups and charities so far including Julia’s House and the Youth Cancer Trust in Bournemouth.

The donations are now split with 50p going to schools and 50p going to other charities or groups and the administration is covered by the restaurant.

The school in Somerford now also has an iPad charging trolley and wireless internet and Pebble Beach owner Mike Caddy enjoyed seeing the children receive the new equipment.

“When the children were asked ‘who would like to use the iPads’ they all put their hands up so it’s just amazing and we are very excited about it,” he said.

“Schools are now the main focus of the restaurant’s charitable trust and we will keep raising money.”

The restaurant has also paid for iPads at New Milton Junior and Hordle Primary schools.