IT'S perhaps one of the most unusual fisheries in the world, but it has still proved a resounding success.

With a little help from their adoptive parents, more than 100 baby trout were released into the wild having spent their infancy safe and sound in a Hampshire primary school.

Youngsters from the St Bede Primary School have been raising the tiny brown trout in their Winchester classroom as part of a joint scheme with the Environment Agency, Sparsholt College, the Jet Set Club and the Wild Trout Trust.

But last week came time for the little fish to stretch their fins and swim away as they were released into the wild - well the Nun's Stream in the city centre at any rate.

Over the past 11 weeks, the children at St Bede's have witnessed the animals hatch and grow from fertilised eggs to fry, and have learnt all about the lifecycle of trout in the process.

They have also witnessed the sadness of seeing some of the fish die, and have come to appreciate how important fresh, clean, pollution-free water is to their survival.

The youngsters will now hopefully get the chance to continue to watch their watery friends grow, as Nun's Stream runs through the playgrounds of their Gordon Road school.

Head teacher Louise Fitzpatrick, said: "The children have enjoyed watching the progress of the trout developing from eggs to fish. This has provided a superb learning experience. Our thanks go to all those involved in this joint project for a wonderful opportunity."