Traditional games such as skipping and marbles are being brought back in a Lancashire primary school with the support of a �6,000 grant.

And the head teacher of St Mary's Church of England School in Rawtenstall in Lancashire says that children's behaviour has improved since the games were introduced.

The funding has come from the New Opportunities Fund, supported by the National Lottery, and is providing equipment and training for a three-year project.

During playtimes children are being shown how to play with skipping ropes, bat and ball games, hula hoops and ludo.

Conkers have so far not made it into the playtime activities, but they could also make an appearance this autumn.

And head teacher Julie Frazer says that these games are teaching children to play in a way that is more constructive and sociable.

Wrestling

"The children are happier and more engaged, you can see the see difference. They're being encouraged to be more co-operative and are learning about sharing and waiting for their turn."

The pupils, who were more used to on-screen games than playground games, had to be taught about skipping games and skipping rhymes, which they might not have encountered before.

While it was important for children to learn computer skills, she said that it was also important for them to be able to learn to work and play together.

Before the traditional games project began, the head teacher said that she had been concerned about children playing wrestling games, copied from the television.

But now children were "enjoying each others' company" and the games allowed "children to be children".

And looking at the significance for the school, the head said that the importance of playing was often overlooked.

"Playing is fundamental to learning," she said.