CHRISTMAS magic has been injected into a school with the arrival of a surprise winter wonderland.

The outdoor reading corner at Ysgol Y Faenol in Bodelwyddan has been transformed and features realistic looking candy canes, lollipops and Kevin the Carrot.

Rhian Jones, headteacher at the school, said: "The winter wonderland was an idea from a teaching assistant who works in the nursery/reception class. She felt that it would be a nice idea to brighten the children's days. We are all aware that the children have had a challenging time this year and that the opportunities to do Christmas activities might well be very limited for them in 2020.

"The hope was that it would cheer the children and staff."

The transformation happened over the weekend.

The children were amazed when they arrived at school on the Monday.

"They pressed their faces against the window when they first walked into the classrooms and were eager to go outside to explore," Rhian added.

"They were excited and staff heard comments such as 'wow', 'It's so beautiful', 'I love it'.

"The children speculated over who had done it, some thinking it was Santa and his elves and others thinking it was Kevin the Carrot.

"The most common question was 'are the lollipops real?'

"I am very grateful to the staff who planned it all. The children had a delightful surprise; it was lovely to see their smiling and excited faces."