YOUNGSTERS took a walk on the wild side this week for a morning of nature activities.

Year Five pupils from Skelton Junior School visited a wildlife pond at nearby Freebrough Community College on Tuesday to study the animals and plants which live there.

With the help of workers from the Tees Forestry Commission, they put in place newly-decorated bird boxes which they have been working on in class.

Teacher Nance Wrigley said: "The boxes were designed by students at Freebrough but our pupils have decorated them and we hope they will attract all sorts of birds."

The school has plenty to celebrate at the moment, having just been awarded beacon status by the Government.