YOUNGSTERS have tamed a wildlife area that had been left to nature for too long.

The wildlife area, at Moorside Infants School, in Ripon, had become overgrown and neglected and a renovation was needed.

So the county's grounds maintenance team worked with the school to upgrade and improve the area.

A concerted effort was made by staff, governors and parents, together with grounds maintenance staff and volunteers from Ripon in Bloom and Ripon Rotary Club.

Rubbish was removed, dead and old vegetation was cleared and a hawthorn hedge was planted to make the area more secure.

Now the school is planning to hold an open day next month, when people will be invited to see the results of their hard work and the wildlife in the area, which includes frogs, newts and a toad.

A spokesman said: "This is an excellent example of how the grounds maintenance staff from the county council were able to work with the school to bring the area back to life and make it a valuable teaching resource once again.

"The grounds maintenance team will continue to work with the school on this long term project to ensure that the habitat is correctly maintained and to give advice and help with future planting."