THE Royal Navy wouldn't be many people's first choice for a 'quiet space to retire to', but that's exactly what a group of officer cadets created at an Oxford primary school.

Over the course of one school day, officer cadets built benches and fences to create a new secluded corner of the playground at Larkrise Primary in East Oxford.

The casual carpenters from Oxford University Royal Naval Unit were so efficient they completed the job by lunchtime, but they stayed for the afternoon.

Lieutenant Will Jones, Commanding Officer of the Oxford URNU said: "The project was a huge success which delivered genuine benefits to the school and sparked much interest in the Royal Navy from the school children.

"It was fantastic to see the officer cadets getting stuck in with their characteristic enthusiasm."

The visit on Monday, November 6, started bright and early.

The team arrived on a brisk morning and quickly set to work building benches and setting fence-posts in a secluded section of the playground.

Under the guiding hand of the caretaker, one group of cadets showcased their carpentry skills and eagerly set about building benches from wooden planks and posts.

Another group started digging through the cold ground in order to set posts that would act as the guiding plots for the new fence.

Lt Jones explained: "The school wanted to create a quiet area to supply children who may become overwhelmed during break-times with a safe area to retire to, to escape the bustle of ordinary playtime."

The cadets finished their work by midday, just in time for lunch provided by the grateful school.

After lunch, the cadets sat with teachers and pupils to answer any questions about the navy.

Lt Jones said: "The team were welcomed with a great sense of excitement and curiosity, with many young pupils showing an impressive knowledge of the role of the Royal Navy in general."

At the request of staff, cadets put on a small demonstration of dressing on parade, standing to attention and saluting for the pupils.

Cadet Luke Harris also taught the children how to salute, and said he saw 'a number of exemplary salutes' as the students returned to their classes.

In the afternoon, the cadets carried on their work, helping secure some new motivational signs to the front gates of the school, clearing of gardening patches along the pathways and tackling a particularly aggressive overgrown bamboo plant.

Cadet Umar Ahmed said: "The work was greatly rewarding, and very well received, with the OCdts looking forward to another opportunity to assist in community outreach projects in the future."