YOUNG nature lovers have renewed old ties between a village school and one of the region's largest reservoirs.
Pupils from Shotley Bridge Junior School, near Consett, were the first in line to enjoy a £20,000 bird hide at Derwent Reservoir.
The project, funded by Northumbrian Water, aims to give bird watchers better access to the 100-plus species which live on the 300-acre estate.
More than 30 year six pupils from the school were on hand to help Sir Fred Holliday, chairman of Northumbrian Water, cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony.
The youngsters spent the rest of the day with workers from Durham Wildlife Trust, learning about wildlife and looking at animal habitats. Each pupil then planted a tree at the site.
Teacher Bernadette Williamson said: "It was a fabulous day out and the youngsters thoroughly enjoyed it.
"We were told that children from Shotley Bridge had planted trees at the site on a visit back in the 1970s, so it was nice to carry on that relationship."
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