AT a time when money is harder to come by, £7,500 would make a big difference to any school.

One lucky Oxfordshire school will win the tidy sum after the Oxford Mail announced its third School Build SOS competition with Abingdon-based construction firm Leadbitter.

The contest was launched last Wednesday and schools are now invited to tell us how they would like to spend the cash.

Jo Coady, promotions manager for Newsquest Oxfordshire, the Oxford Mail’s parent company, said: “This is an unbelievable opportunity for a school to win thousands of pounds for a building project of their choice.

“The generous prize money could transform a school and benefit both teachers and pupils.

“We are delighted to be able to offer such a big prize in a time when most schools are having to tighten their belts.”

She added: “We are really excited about seeing a community benefit from the money and we are really looking forward to seeing the entries flooding in.”

To be in with a chance of winning the money, complete the entry form and explain in 300 words what your school would like to use the money for.

You should tell us how the project will make a difference to pupils and the wider community, and we also want to know how your project will be sustainable.

Entries could include drawings, photographs and statements from parents, pupils and teachers.

The project, which will be carried out at an agreed time during the summer holidays, must not require planning permission or major structural changes.

The prize fund will cover materials and labour.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, June 7, and 10 finalists will be chosen.

They will then be invited to collect vouchers which will be printed in the Oxford Mail – the school which collects the most vouchers per pupil will win the money.

Last year’s winners, Kingfisher School, in Abingdon, built a new sensory garden and a seating area.

The competition’s first ever winner, North Kidlington Primary School, collected more than 19,300 vouchers in 2009 to build a bird hide for its wildlife garden.