YOUNGSTERS from a Bolton school have become designers. not of houses or gardens -- but ponds.

Children from Church Road Primary school, Captains Clough Road, have spent their Spring term learning the secrets of designing a successful wildlife pond, courtesy of the Mersey basin Trust

For their inspiration they visited Moss Bank Park's wildlife pond on a cold rainy day in January!

Julia Gravestock of the trust said: The kids were full of great ideas, ranging from a diving board for the ducks to underwater lighting, fixed cameras to pressure point showers for birds."

Among the wacky designs there was a serious wildlife element and the children learnt about the physical features of a pond, the plants and the animals that make it their home.

The project formed part of their geography topic "Our Local Area" and ended with a presentation by pupils to Friends of Moss Bank Park.

Next term the pupils hope to plant a pond with Bolton wildlife Project.