POPULAR gardener and television celebrity Charlie Dimmock officially opened Zouch Primary School's pond and wildlife area on Monday.

Charlie was the pupils' first choice for the opening role and the youngsters were thrilled when she accepted their invitation.

Year four pupils have spent weeks of digging and planting the area, which formed part of the creative curriculum for the spring term.

It also gave the youngsters the chance to gain hands-on experience and the chance to explore a habitat while enhancing their learning.

The pond and wildlife area is the culmination of a project which started after the school received an Environment Business Club award last year for class poster designs on a wildlife theme.

After cutting the ribbon, Charlie said: "They have done really well. The great thing about doing a project like this is it stops being a lesson and becomes a passion and they really get into it.

"They've learnt to grow things and made the pond so when they visit other places they can look at the types of things living in their ponds and it makes them more enthusiastic."

Headteacher Tina Evans added: "We are extremely pleased with the result of all the hard work.

"The pond looks fantastic, the children are extremely excited and to top it all off we have Charlie Dimmock helping us with our special day."

The Tidworth school received donations from Jewsons, B&Q, Ludgershall Garden Centre and AG&G Timber Ludgershall.