WIDNES schoolchildren have discovered new skills helping to develop a sensory garden at Fiddler’s Ferry power station.

Pupils from Moorfield Primary School carried out their first ever safety risk assessments and hazard perceptions before they started work at the education resource centre.

Paul Cockcroft, manager of SSE’s education resource centre said: "The sensory garden has been stripped right back in order for the young volunteers to have a blank canvas to really make their own mark on it, and ensure all health and safety risk assessments are undertaken thoroughly.

“The pupils and their head teacher have now met with education centre ecologist and our garden maintenance expert who was responsible for overseeing the sensory garden in the past when it was home to aromatic herbs, flowers and a range of fruit and vegetables".

Head teacher Andy Williams said: "I am really grateful to SSE for their generous support of Moorfield Primary.

“As teachers we are always seeking different and innovative ways to provide our children with valuable life and workplace skills, so this year we are reaching out into the community to offer our services in a way that we have never tried before.

“Schoolchildren are like a ready-made army of volunteers whose boundless energy and enthusiasm are infectious.

It would be great to see them channel this through their support of good causes in our community.

“By getting involved in the garden project at Fiddler’s Ferry we have begun to accomplish that aim and hopefully bring smiles to the faces of others.”