SOUTHAMPTON’S The Marlands shopping centre and the Daily Echo are teaming up for a second year to give families the chance to win equipment for their child’s school.

Schools across the city will be invited to take part to be in with a chance of winning the Shop for Schools title and the top prize of £500 to go towards new school equipment.

The competition launches next Tuesday where shoppers will be able to convert every £1 spent at The Marlands into points for their chosen school.

Throughout the competition, bonus points offers will be up for grabs in the Daily Echo to boost schools’ scores.

A running total of latest league tables will be published regularly in the Daily Echo.

Last year, scores of schools were in the running, with enthusiastic parents and local communities pulling together to encourage people to take part in a bid to get their school to the top of the points leaderboard.

After a tight race to the finish line, Glenfield Infant School in Bitterne came top of the Shop for Schools class and claimed the title.

Their £500 prize went towards improving outdoor play equipment and quiet play areas at the school. Second-place winner Sholing Junior School won £150, and Bitterne Park Junior School, which came third, won £100.

Glenfield’s delighted headteacher, Joanne Dorricott, thanked the school community for their support and for achieving so many points for the school, saying: “We will definitely look out for the competition again.”

For more details, please visit www.intomarlands.co.uk.