CHILDREN at a New Forest school can take a closer look at pond life, thanks to a cash boost.

A £600 donation from Fawley-based firm ExxonMobil will enable staff to remove a wall currently restricting access to the pond at Holbury Infant School.

The work to make the water feature more accessible will be co-ordinated by school grounds charity Learning Through Landscapes (LTL).

The news is a welcome break at a time of great uncertainty as the school prepares to amalgamate with neighbouring Holbury Junior School.

Head teacher Suzanne Lee said: "The staff and governors at Holbury Infants are determined to maintain a positive learning environment for the children at this difficult time and look forward to pond-dipping and identification of life in and around their pond through the seasons that they remain on their site."

ExxonMobil's Katrina Spridgeon added: "We are delighted that through our links with the school it can improve its facilities for the children."