Five hard-working schools from across the West Midlands have each been handed £500 after triumphing in the Express & Star’s Schools Summer Fair Cash Challenge.

More than 80 schools took part in the drive, which saw copies of the paper being sold at summer events.

In all, staff, parents and pupils sold more than 3,200 copies between them, earning their schools 10p per sale.

Children and staff from the winning schools attended a reception at the Express & Star’s head office in Queen Street, Wolverhampton, on Friday to pick up their awards.

The winning schools were Penn Hall School, Wolverhampton; Saxon Hill Community School, Lichfield; St Mary Magdalene C of E Primary, West Bromwich; St Peter’s Primary, Stonnall; and Sunfield Special School in Clent, near Stourbridge.

Deb Rattley, deputy headteacher of Sunfield, said the money would be used as part of its ongoing work to build a new school, which is expected to be finished by June next year.

Dawn Hughes, chairman of the parent teacher association at St Mary Magdalene, said: “We’re not sure what we’re going to do with the money yet.

“We’re going to get a few ideas from the children and see what they want to do,” she added.

Meanwhile, St Peter’s in Stonnall will spend the cash on new CD players to bring the sound of music into classrooms around the building.

At Saxon Hill School in Lichfield, money will go towards a sensory room for youngsters with special educational needs.

Dave Parry, deputy headteacher at Penn Hall School, said the money would fund outdoor activities for the 80 youngsters at the school.

He said: “We’re part of the community and the Express & Star has supported the school by having many items about us in the paper.

“It’s a very unexpected boost for us.”

The Express & Star’s sales manager Craig Willetts praised the “fantastic” efforts of those who took part.

He said: “It’s been a wonderful experiment for us and something we’re looking to do again in the near future.”