CHILDREN are digging in to help an expert create a small green haven for wildlife alongside their village primary school.

Landscape gardener Keith Jackson has given up his time and money to help to regenerate the wildlife garden at Esh Winning Primary School, in County Durham.

Mr Jackson is working on a rota basis with 84 children in the key stage one classes at the school, aged four to seven, to perform a makeover of a garden which has suffered neglect in recent years.

He previously visited the school to help the children develop ideas for the garden and returned yesterday to begin the planting.

It is hoped that with a good growing season it will be near to full bloom by the end of the school term, attracting various bird, insect and animal species.

Working with Mr Jackson and the youngsters is Viv Muirhead, a nursery nurse at the school.

She is combining the project with higher national diploma course work she is undertaking in early childhood studies and environmental science, at New College Durham.

"It's really starting to take shape. Keith has been very good and we have done the clearance ready for him to come in and start the planting," said Mrs Muirhead.

"He is putting in things like butterfly bushes, bird boxes, bat boxes and hedgehog houses.

"The garden is beside one of the classroom windows, so the idea is that the children can look out and observe the wildlife outside."

A sponsored spell by the children will help to raise funds for more plants, some of which will be used in a second garden, an enclosed area within the courtyard of the school.

Mrs Muirhead paid thanks to Mr Jackson, of Newcastle landscape gardening company Leisure Thyme, for his efforts.