CHILDREN at a Weaverham school will be among those taking a closer look at wildlife with the help of a ground-breaking education programme.

The Cheshire and Peak District Branch of wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation will be visiting St Bede’s Catholic Primary School as part of their Munching Caterpillars project.

The project aims to encourage primary school pupils to take positive, practical action to help moths, butterflies and caterpillars.

The project, which started in Somerset and Dorset schools last year thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, allows pupils to observe live specimens up close and learn about the life cycles, adaptations and ecology of butterflies and moths.

Lesley Langton, reception teacher from St Bede’s, said “We are all very excited to be taking part in the butterfly project.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to get close to nature and for our children to be involved in some real hands-on science that allows them to make sense of their world around them.”

As part of the scheme, children will plant caterpillar munch boxes and butterfly fuel stations in their school grounds.

Alongside planting and monitoring, schools will be helped to conduct scientific experiments to establish the best ways to attract moths into gardens.

Rupert Adams, education officer for the Cheshire and Peak District Branch, who is delivering the programme, added: “Having been fascinated with butterflies and moths all my life it’s a privilege to be given the chance to inspire a new generation of conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts.

“The teachers and children alike are excited at the prospect of their schools being involved in the initiative.”

The work in Cheshire and the Peak District is part of a trial to extend the scope and reach of the original project based in Dorset and Somerset, with the hope that it will help to inform plans for a national campaign in the future.