After parents at a Southampton primary school were told that playground equipment was not a necessary part of the curriculum, they took matters into their own hands.

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Southampton Glebe Primary School held a read-a-thon this week to help raise funds for new playground equipment.

The Department of Education removed Southampton Glebe's playground equipment in September of last year after an annual review found it was unsafe.

But since the removal of the equipment, teachers have begun to see "a lot more troublesome behaviour'' in students, said PTA vice-president Karen Skiffington.

"We have a beautiful big field,'' she added, "but without organised activities it's just sitting there.'' The Education Department will not replace the playground equipment because it has "no budget for it'', said Ms Skiffington.

The park across the street had its playground equipment removed also, leaving the school and local residents without a place for their children to play.

"There is no playground equipment in the West End,'' Ms Skiffington said.

"The PTA discussed a lot of ideas. We liked the recent push toward literacy.'' The idea for the read-a-thon was based on a similar event held by the Bermuda Youth Library.

"We changed a few things, but it's the same idea,'' she said.

The read-a-thon kicked off on Tuesday and has already had good sales.

Students will read and earn points toward prizes such as free lunches and book certificates.

They are encouraged to read anything including books, magazines and newspapers.

This can also be a family affair, said Ms Skiffington. Students can listen to books being read aloud or read aloud to others.

The Bookmart and the Children's Bookstore are behind the book sales and will continue to have them in support of the read-a-thon which will run until tomorrow.