PUPILS from one of Teesside's primary schools have adopted a new marshland which they will help to cultivate.

The youngsters from Tilery Primary School, Stockton, visited Portrack Marsh, for the first time last week to start a series of activities to create, nuture and learn about wildlife habitats on their doorstep.

The first activity for the pupils was to create a colourful wildflower meadow, close to the newly-installed disabled access footpath. It is hoped the meadow will attract many insects, including clouded yellow and common blue butterflies.

Representatives from the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, visited the school earlier in the month to explain to the children all about the importance of the marsh for a variety of birds, mammals and insects. After the talk, the children were given the chance to invent some names for the wetlands on the marsh, based on the types of wildlife that live there.

The Wildlife Trust and Northumbrian Water, which own and manage the marsh, will pick some of the best names to be used on future maps of the site.

So far, the pupils' ideas have included Salty Willow Pond and Darter Ponds - after the name of the common darter dragonfly, which lives on the marsh.

John Repton, headteacher at the school said: "I am hoping the children find there is enjoyment to be had in terms of looking after the environment and being able to watch it grow and flourish before their eyes.

"Projects like these are a good idea because these children are town children and this is a simple easy way they can get involved with the countryside. Most live within walking distance so they can bring their parents and show them what they have achieved."

So far this year, two large wetlands the size of three football pitches have been created, with islands to attract nesting birds. A ditch has been dug around the site to provide habitats for frogs, toads and water voles, and last month, a bird hide was erected, allowing people to get a close-up view of the many birds using the site.