AN outdoor classroom has been created at Wigg Island community park by an enthusiastic team of scouts.

The youngsters, aged 11 to 13, cut their way through overgrown trees, thanks to a new set of tools funded by chemical giant Ineos Chlorvinyls.

They learnt a traditional woodland technique of ‘coppicing’ to prune hazel and willow, to allow re-growth and better access for sunlight.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust launches its new forest school programmes at the reclaimed industrial site in the spring.

The trust’s Nick Rowles said: “It’s been great to have a helping hand from the Scouts, as coppicing is one task where many hands make light work.

“The forest school originated in Sweden and Denmark.

"The idea is to take children into the heart of wild habitats and use the surroundings to encourage, inspire and show them how to take responsibility for nature and the environment, and we know from research that the scheme can also aid positive behavioural changes too.”

The trust took over the management of the Wigg Island Visitor Centre last year, and is now supporting Halton Council in improving the overall wildlife value of the 23 hectare site from woodlands to wildflower meadows.

Janet Ward, community relations manager of Ineos ChlorVinyls, said: "It's an absolute pleasure to be able to support this project as not only does it benefit Wigg Island community park, it also provides an invaluable resource to many local community groups including Scout groups and local schools.

“This is exactly the type of project that we like to support through our landfill communities fund scheme."