PRIMARY school pupils and their parents got a taste of college life by taking part in an environmental course.

Children from Howden-le- Wear Primary School joined the bats and birds course at Bishop Auckland College, which encourages families to work together on environmental projects.

College lecturer Robin Laycock said: "The response from parents and children has been fantastic and they have quickly got into the swing of doing practical things for the environment.

"They have already made a feeder for robins and blackbirds and will now go on to make a blue tit nest box."

Primary school headteacher Val McCourt said: "The children had to make their own feeders and then decorate them in their own style, and a prize was awarded for the best one. The standard of all the work was very high."