CHILDREN will soon be swapping their classroom for a neighbouring beauty spot.

Pupils from St Godric's Primary School, in Wheatley Hill, are looking forward to the spring and summer when they will be provided with outdoor lessons at Gore Burn Nature Reserve.

The land, which is owned by Easington District Council, is being transformed for al fresco education by the authority's coast and countryside rangers and a team of volunteers.

They have cleared away litter and damaged trees, dug out wetland areas and created a pathway, using chippings from recycled Christmas trees.

In the coming months, they hope to create a wildflower meadow and habitat areas for insects and other animals, as well as installing information signs.

Gary Shears, Easington's countryside officer, said: "The land has been set aside for educational use by the school, so it seemed like an ideal project for the volunteer rangers.'' The group will be joined during the next few weeks by pupils from Grindon Hall School, in Sunderland, who will be helping to complete the project.