GREEN fingered pupils who are creating a nature friendly school have been boosted with a £4,500 grant to hold community wildlife events.

Sowerby Primary School, near Thirsk, was given the grant by the Big Lottery’s Breathing Place events fund.

The school has created several green initiatives on its grounds over the years including a wildlife garden, willow sculptures and a dipping pond.

Staff plan to use the funds to carry this on as part of the BBC’s Springwatch scheme and its Dirty Places Breathing weekend by running a Nature, Nurture, Nutrition week.

To start it British Trust for Conservation Volunteers are to lead a session at the school on pond management and creating a wildflower meadow on Saturday, June 6, from 11am to 3pm.

Many other activities are to take place including a visit by storyteller Taffy Thomas and a visit by local poet and wildlife photographer Annaliese Emmans-Dean.

Pond dipping and bird box making with the National Park Rangers, cooking demonstrations and art workshops are also to feature.

Staff will lead a showcase of the school’s grounds on Wednesday, June 10, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Hambleton District Council’s recycling teams, composting experts North Yorkshire’s Rotters and local organic fresh food supplier Riverford Farm will be there.

Headteacher Jean Yendall said: "It’s so exciting to see the transformation of the school grounds into an inspiring, interactive outdoor space.

"Staff, children, governors and parents have worked extremely hard to make these changes happen.

"Our children love playing in the willow tunnels, working in the vegetable garden and exploring the wildlife areas.

"In addition we have worked closely with the Curriculum Foundation to ensure that we make the most of our outdoor space.

"As a result the children are more excited about learning, and more positive about what they can do; we can already start to see an improvement in standards across the school.

"We’re really looking forward to celebrating our achievements with the week of activities and welcome anyone who wants to join us."

The project has also had grants and support from the National Lottery’s Awards for All, Hambleton District Council and the Friends of Sowerby School amongst others.