GREEN-fingered Basingstoke pupils spent an afternoon with Mother Nature thanks to an innovative nationwide scheme.

Children at Marnel Infant School, in Shetland Road, Basingstoke, took advantage of the early spring sunshine to plant 28 hazel trees in the school field.

As well as sowing a living piece of history, the youngsters helped to create a living outdoor classroom for future generations to learn from and enjoy for years to come.

The saplings were offered to the school by the Woodland Trust - the UK's leading woodland conservation charity - as part of its Trees For All campaign. This ambitious project aims to give one million children the opportunity to help plant 12 million trees over the next five years - that's one tree for every child under the age of 16.

Class teacher Dee Tree said: "As well as playing an important role in the curriculum, the trees will provide a lot of enjoyment to both staff and pupils alike.

"The children have certainly taken them to heart. Some of the classes have made signs for their trees, while others have named them.

"In the future, it is hoped to join some of the trees together to form a hedge, while others will be used to create a new adventure trail.

"Once they are fully grown, we will then introduce bat boxes and bird feeders to encourage wildlife into the area."