A hard-working 10-year-old pupil won new sports equipment for her school after she persuaded the company behind major roadworks in her village to say sorry for the disruption caused.

Diss Mercury: Burston Primary School receives a goodwill gesture from Anglian Water for its school garden and playground. Picture: SONYA DUNCANBurston Primary School receives a goodwill gesture from Anglian Water for its school garden and playground. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Isabel Gipson wrote to several companies seeking sponsorship for improvements at Burston Primary School.

One of those she wrote to was Anglian Water, which has been installing brand new sewer pipes in the village near Diss - with work causing disruption to residents over the past six months.

The firm has now given the school new football and netball posts and shingles for a garden area following Isabel's letter, saying it wanted to be 'good neighbours'.

The school's netball court has been also been painted and holes drilled for the posts, meaning it can offer more after-school clubs.

Diss Mercury: Burston Primary School receives a goodwill gesture from Anglian Water for its school garden and playground. Picture: SONYA DUNCANBurston Primary School receives a goodwill gesture from Anglian Water for its school garden and playground. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Isabel said her motivation for her efforts was to make a difference at school.

She said: 'I feel really happy when I see all my friends having fun with all the new equipment, and proud that I have made the school exciting again.'

Isabel's mother, Maria Gipson, said: 'Isabel is so proud of her hard work and I am so proud of her.

'It is only a small school so fundraising can be tricky and she has done so well.'

Diss Mercury: Burston Primary School receives a goodwill gesture from Anglian Water for its school garden and playground. Picture: SONYA DUNCANBurston Primary School receives a goodwill gesture from Anglian Water for its school garden and playground. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

An Anglian Water spokesman said: 'Our teams have been working in Burston to install brand new sewer pipes in the village meaning residents will be connected to mains sewers for the first time ever.

'We know that this kind of work can be disruptive, and we always we always want to be good neighbours whenever possible and thank local communities for their patience while we're undertaking work in their neighbourhood.

'This is why we've helped the school repaint their sports court as well as donating materials to improve the local BMX track.

'We hope these measures will go some way in saying sorry for any disruption our work has caused.'

Isabel and her brother, Clay, seven, attend Burston which has a pupil population or around just 40 children.

Mrs Gipson added: 'These improvements make all the difference to the kids and they are able to enjoy the spaces.'