A band of volunteer decorators weathered the scorching temperatures to help save a school more than £10,000.

When members of the parent and governors board at Theydon Bois Primary School Peter Arthy found out the building needed a lick of paint, he decided to help out.

After getting the green light from his branch manager, the Mears Islington builder asked ten colleagues to help out.

Armed with tins of white paint provided for free by the firm's supplier, they got to work last weekend sprucing the Orchard Drive school up.

Mr Arthy, 44 from Theydon Bois, said: "The guys came from all across London and they gave their time for free.

"We had to spend a whole weekend power washing, cleaning and filling in with concrete before we could paint."

At the end of four ten hour days work in 30°C heat, the painting was complete and the school's decorating budget remained intact.

In total, Mr Arthy - whose son will start Year 1 at the school in September - believes the the work and materials would have cost between £10,000 and £15,000.