A CHILDREN'S art exhibition of work inspired by conservation was opened at Southampton's Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre.

Local groups such as the Brownies, Boys' Brigade and Woodcraft Folk have been involved with the project, called Be Common Wise, since the summer with the exhibition as the culmination of the work.

Southampton mayor Brian Parnell opened the show, which will run until Saturday, at the centre on the Common.

The aim of the project, which was started by local conservationist Jilly Cooke, was for the city's youngsters to get a feel for nature and to gain a greater understanding of the importance of preserving natural habitat.

Themes have included information about how dropping litter affects wildlife, that rats are attracted to the bread many people feed ducks and also how grain is actually far better for them anyway.

Jilly initiated the project as part an award from the Earthwatch Organisation and the Millennium Fund, which enabled her to travel to Costa Rica to take part in a scientific research programme investigating the food chain in a tropical dry forest.

However, as part of the award Jilly agreed to invest some time with the city's youngsters to get them interested in local conservation.

The exhibition itself contains a variety of collages, mobiles and posters done by the children detailing what they have learned about the importance of conservation on the Common.

Jilly said: "The big thing about the Common is that it is our local heritage.

"It's important for the children and others to realise just how much wildlife lives on the Common and how important it is to continue the conservation work."