CHILDREN from a Carlisle school tested their green fingers at their local park yesterday.

Year 4 pupils from Newlaithes Junior School plant 3,000 crocus bulbs at Chance's Park yesterday morning.

The children have been learning about nature and the environment in their science lessons.

Roxanna MacArtney, a teacher at Newlaithes Junior School, said: "We’ve been looking at local habitats, environments, how to look after the environment, how to reduce your carbon footprint.

"It all kind of stemmed from one of our science topics and then with COP26 they really enjoyed looking into it.

"So we just thought it was something really nice to do. It’s usually done by one of the other year groups, but it linked much more with our topic.

"The kids have been really engaged with it and they wanted to look after the local park."

She added: "It’s much better than being in the classroom.

"It’s nice for them to not just talk about it, to actually go and do something as well.

"It solidifies what we’ve been talking about and what they’ve been learning."

The planting was organised by the Friends of Chance's Park.

The community group regularly involve children from local schools.

Last year was the first time in 10 years that they missed in 10 years.

Iris Rogan, chair of the Friend's of Chance's Park, said: ".The children get ownership of the park and they know a bit more about the environment, whether it’s bulbs and flower seeds or planting saplings.

"They get to know that it’s their park.

"The idea is that they’ll come and look after it for years to come.

"Educating them to know it’s their park and they’ll look after the trees.

"It’s worked so far because we’ve got one of the best parks in Carlisle."

Iris also gave the children information sheets about crocuses, so that they could learn about what they were planting.

Neville Lishman, Conservative councillor for Newtown & Morton North, was there to give a hand.

He said: "It’s great. It’s inspiring to see young children getting involved in the local community and local environment.

"We’ll see the fruits of their labour in spring after planting all these today."