Children at a Glasgow primary school will soon be learning outdoors - whatever the weather.

Work begins on Monday on an outdoor classroom at Merrylee Primary School, on the south side of the city.

Much of the £6500 cost of the project has been raised by pupils at the school.

The school is already home to an "urban jungle" - the first natural habitat playground in school grounds in the UK.

But the expansion will allow many more classes to take place outside - while protected from the weather.

Merrylee headteacher, Liz Mahindru, said: "Research tells us that we all respond better and learn better in a natural environment so all types of activity can take place here. It will also be used during free play times.

"It is another area to allow learning to take place outdoors in a semi-formal manner, even in the rain."

Mrs Mahindru approached Forestry Commission Scotland, which funded the urban jungle, and it agreed to provide workers and £3500 towards the cost if the school could raise the other £3000.

Pupils at Merrylee primary have been involved in the whole process of building their outdoor classroom, helping to raise the funds. They will also be involved in the building work, drawing pictures which will be carved on to the benches.

The Forestry Commission was keen for the project to be built by Alan Kane, who had already crafted the benches in the Urban Jungle. The headteacher visited a site in Dunblane where he had built an outdoor classroom and parents and children were inspired by the photographs to start raising the money.

Mrs Mahindru added: "I am absolutely delighted that once again our school community has risen to the challenge to provide this outdoor facility for our pupils. It will enhance our already fabulous outdoor facilities and will provide further opportunity to take the learning into the natural environment. I will join the pupils as we excitedly watch it develop in front of our eyes next week."

The work is expected to be finished by Friday.