PRIMARY schools have less than one week to register for the chance to win a free makeover in an Oxford Mail competition.

We have teamed up with the Leadbitter Group, which carries out construction work, to run the School Build Save Our School – (SOS) competition, offering schools the chance to win building work worth £7,500.

Until next Monday, primary schools can bid by filling in the attached entry form with details of the project they would like to spend the money on.

We will then work with Leadbitter to select 10 schools, with finalists competing to win the makeover by asking parents, pupils and staff to collect as many SOS vouchers as they can.

Jo Coady, promotions manager for the Oxford Mail, said the prize could be spent on a number of projects.

She said: “The winning project will be something simple but important for the school, like some redecoration work, new bike sheds, or a play area.

“Leadbitter will then carry out the work at the winning school. There is just under one week left, so we’d like to urge schools to get involved.”

The entry form will be printed again on Thursday, giving schools one last chance to register. The Oxford Mail and Leadbitter will pick the finalists, and then the race will be on for 10 schools to collect SOS vouchers, which will run in the paper daily.

Richard Nixon, regional director of Leadbitter, which is based in Abingdon, said the company had run similar projects elsewhere in the country.

He added: “The schools have all been very happy with the outcome. The projects can really make a difference.

Tell us about the project your school is entering in the School Build SOS competition, by emailing awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk