It was decided among the youngsters on the school council at Fylingdales Primary that a “buddy bench” would be installed in their playground to combat loneliness and upset.

The youngsters wanted the bench to act as a signal that a classmate might be feeling left out, or may have nobody to play with at break and lunch times.

Children with nobody to play with sit on the buddy bench, where one of several buddy monitors throughout the school will make sure the child finds somebody to play with or to talk to.

Year five pupils Ellie Scruton and Ryan Straw told the Gazette the bench is a great way to know if someone is upset.

It was the youngsters themselves who came up with the idea of a buddy bench, and after having picked the one they wanted, they set about raising funds to purchase the structure.

It took the pupils two years to raise the £700 they needed to be able to afford the bench through a number of fund-raisers such as a sports afternoon and charity football match.

Headteacher Lisa Jones said: “I’m really proud of the exemplary behaviour of our pupils.

“Their dedication to raising the money illustrates their kind behaviour and shows Fylingdales School does not tolerate bullying or pupils feeling left out.”

Mrs Jones thanked Scarborough Council ground maintenance for installing the bench free of charge.

She added: “It would have cost us at least another £300 to have the bench installed so we’re really grateful to ground maintenance.”