Ashton Keynes Primary School’s Nature garden has been given a ‘wild’ makeover.

Thanks to a 106 grant administered by Cotswold District Council, Forest School leader Stuart Jackson was able to give the garden a huge makeover.

On the wettest day in months, staff and pupils of Year 5 unveiled their new wildlife-friendly Forest School area.

A new canopy funded by their application the Nature Conservation Fund allowed the lesson to carry on despite the rain and the children spent their time happily weaving willow bird feeders and learning about British wildlife while warming themselves around the fire pit.

A new wildlife camera has already captured footage of wildlife visiting the school garden including foxes and hedgehogs.

The Nature Conservation Fund is a requirement through the Lower Mill Estate planning permission and the legal agreement tied to this planning permission requires each home owner to pay an annual sum of at least £50 to fund eligible nature conservation projects in the Cotswold Water Park.

Chief ecologist at Lower Mill Estate, Dr Phoebe Carter said: "It was wonderful to see the children having such a great time outdoors despite the weather and to see them reconnecting with the natural world. There are so many measurable benefits to children being connected to nature and it was lovely to see the children and the local wildlife benefitting."