Youngsters from Woodbury Primary School have enjoyed an activity-filled day learning about the environment on Bicton Common.

The pupils from years five and six, accompanied by staff and volunteers from Clinton Devon Estates, were split into groups and given different tasks and activities which taught them about native and non-native tree species, heathland management, ecology and wildlife.

Dr Sam Bridgewater, nature conservation manager for the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, said: “The work that we do with local school children is extremely valuable for them as a learning experience, but also for us and the future of our countryside.

“Our aim is to share the importance of this particular habitat with the future generation, who will eventually be responsible for managing and conserving it in the way we do now.”

Woodbury Primary School teacher Mark Dinnin said: “This is so important. The children get to learn about the local environment they live in. They learn about the importance of the natural landscape and the environment that is managed and not just left.

“In doing activities such as this, the children learn not to take this countryside for granted and realise that to keep it like this, beautiful and accessible, it takes both money and a lot of work.”

Woodbury followed other local primary schools, including Drakes and Otterton, in visiting the common, travelling in a coach funded by the Otter Valley Association.