YOUNGSTERS used the sounds of nature in a music class with a difference to create their own nature symphony.

The pupils, from Halton High School, were at Oxmoor Local Nature Reserve in Manor Park as part of the project Wild About Halton, as the reserve celebrated the launch of two new wetland lagoons. The pupils were recording the sounds of the wildlife from the reserve and used them to create their own song at the City Learning Centre at The Grange. It is just one of many schemes to get high school children using local nature for lessons such as music, maths and geography.

The new wetland lagoons at the reserve have been created to provide an important habitat for a number of species by planting new reed beds that will encourage more wildlife to the area. The scheme is part of the Halton Biodiversity Action Plan, which has received funding from Waste Recycling Environmental Limited, Halton Borough Council, English Partnerships and the Environment Agency.

The new reed beds will help to attract reed buntings to the area and it is hoped that in four to five years time the area will be attracting wintering bitterns.