Pupils from the Henry Beaufort School, Winchester, spent the penultimate day of term in the very fresh air - digging.

The environment group from Year 9 left the classroom to work in brilliant, crisp sunshine on the St Catherine's Hill wildlife reserve, helping to plant the first batch of 300 trees as part of their "Living Land Award" project. They were supervised by science teacher, Sian Hughes, and the Wildlife Trust warden, Mark Langford.

"The hill is an excellent example of traditional chalk downland and is full of wild flowers and butterflies each summer," said Mark. "This is an opportunity to plant trees in a hedgerow on the edge of the reserve to provide a corridor for wildlife and a windscreen from the adjacent landscape."

The majority of the 300-metre hedge will be of species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple and hazel.

New spindle, whitebeam, wayfaring and guelder rose trees will be added to those already growing on the chalky soil.

Within the hedge, 20 oak and rowan trees will be planted to grow to maturity and provide extra cover and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.

The project should be completed by the end of March.

"We would welcome involvement from other schools or community groups," said Clare Bishop from The Wildlife Trust. For details of how to take part call 023-80688926.