A manufacturer is giving away thousands of pounds-worth of education play equipment and furniture on Budget day and schools and nurseries are being urged to take advantage of the giveaway.

Wigton-based Twoey has between £6,000 and £8,000-worth of equipment available to give away and is hosting the drop-in event at their Syke Road factory today.

Schools and nurseries are being urged to go along and see if there is anything they can make use of any of the products made up of ex-display models, samples and end of the lines which Twoey's management felt should be put to good use.

Representative will be able to go along and have a look at the items available and take away what they feel will be use to them.

The types of items on offer include role play products, early years furniture, curriculum-based resources, book storage, outdoor storage, as well as other products.

Johanne Miller, managing director, said: "I know that many organisations within the education systems are struggling due to continued financial pressures.

"That's why at Twoey we felt as though we wanted to help out, even in a small way, by helping to provide some of our award-winning equipment to any schools and nurseries in the area who can make use of it.

"We'd love to see as many people as possible at the event and it's free to attend. All we ask is a donation be made to Jigsaw, Cumbrian Children's Hospice in exchange for the products visitors take away."

The drop-in event will take place from 4pm to 7pm.

The event has been supported by Allerdale council's business engagement manager, Toni Magean, who helped facilitate the public-private sector link-up.

Toni said: "It's wonderful that a company like Twoey wanted to give something back to the local community.

"My role sees me support businesses and helps them connect with each other for the benefit of the borough, and I was more than glad to support this idea."