SCHOOLchildren in Hampshire will be taking tips from top wildlife expert Sir David Attenborough when he opens an educational garden.

The animal and nature expert and broadcaster, pictured, will open the new Children's Education Centre at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Ampfield, near Romsey, on Tuesday.

Pupils from Calmore Junior School, Oaklands Community School and Millbrook School in Southampton, Oak Lodge School in Dibden Perlieu, The Arnewood School in New Milton, and Romsey School have all been involved in the design and construction of the garden.

Sir David will be given a tour by the pupils who took responsibility for different areas within the centre.

The new garden has been created to enhance the education programmes provided by Hillier Gardens at its Sir Richard Storey Education Building, which was designed by Hampshire County Council's architects.

Council leader Councillor Ken Thornber said: "It is great that Sir David Attenborough has agreed to open the Children's Education Garden and show his support for the work the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens staff are undertaking to educate people about the natural world and the threats facing it."

The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens attract more than 115,000 visitors a year, including more than 12,000 schoolchildren on educational visits.

The gardens contain a growing collection of 42,000 plants of about 12,000 types.