A GREEN scheme funded by £150,000 of Lottery money is set to brighten up the grounds of Bolton primary schools.

Already, several schools have benefited from the plan which involves youngsters helping to improve their schools environment.

The Bolton School Grounds project is receiving a £50,000 injection of cash each year for three years.

So far, improvements include new hedges at Mytham Primary School in Little Lever and a wild-flower garden and pond at Westhoughton Primary School.

And St Bede's CE Primary School in Morris Green runs its own Eco Club every Tuesday lunchtime, where the children learn about wildlife and gardening.

Sonya Calderbank, from the Wildlife Trust, who is masterminding the campaign , said there was a need for Bolton's school grounds to be improved because "some schools, especially those near the town centre, are often just asphalt with no greenery."

"But all the children enjoy doing gardening, themselves they like planting things, especially when they can get muddy," she said.

Sonya would like to hear from other primary schools which would like to take part in the scheme, to help more youngsters learn the environment lesson and cheer up the areas around them.