A STEEL fence is being built round part of Huntcliff School, Saltburn, to keep intruders, including dogs, away from the school playing field.

Staff admit that the fence, which is more than 6ft high, is unsightly, but promise that it will be screened by a hedge in spring.

The steel is costing £5,000 from school funds, but the fence is being put up through the community service scheme run by the probation service.

"Dog mess is a tremendous problem with our field running alongside a footpath on the public playing field at Hob Hill," said deputy head Val Clayden, who said the half-completed fence currently looked unsightly.

"Also we get people wandering across our site and the odd golfer practising," she added.

Mrs Clayden said the school was to hold an environment day on March 24, 2004, when 150 students aged 11-14 would take part in several activities including planting the hedge.

"We hope the hedge, which will include beech and hawthorn, will grow as high as the fence and work its way into it so it won't be visible. Initially the hedge will be 2-3ft high."

She said the idea was to encourage more wildlife.

Other activities planned for the environment day include completing improvements to the wildlife pond fronting on to Marske Mill Lane, putting into place a boat at the front of the school and recycling activities.

Mrs Clayden said students were keen on improving the environment round the school. It would benefit the whole area.

She praised the work being done by the school council and the school's groundsman.

Organisations involved include Saltburn in Bloom, the wildlife trust, Groundworks and the North York Moors National Park.

She said students would build the 25yd-long boat and the school council would organise a competition to pick a name.

The work, apart from the fence, is costing £5,000 and grants have been applied for.

Wartime bombs made safe

ARMY bomb disposal experts were called to a building site at Thornaby on Wednesday morning after explosives were uncovered.

The site in Sun Street was cordoned off and staff from the adjoining council depot were evacuated following the discovery at about 9am.

Road closures included the A66 eastbound at Yarm Road and the westbound section of Westbury Street, with diversions in place for 35 minutes while police awaited the arrival of a bomb disposal unit from Catterick. Fire and ambulance services were also called to the scene.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland police said: "We are told the site is a former Army and Navy dump and the shells are mainly eight-pounders. They are all from the Second World War.

"Twelve have been recovered so far and more are thought to be buried in the mud.They are safe and will be taken away to be disposed of by the army.