PRIMARY children lent a hand to feathered friends when they teamed-up with council rangers to create bird boxes in Victoria Park.

The Parish Church of England pupils were the first to use the newly renovated park lodge which has been restored as part of a £4 million park makeover courtesy of a Heritage Lottery grant.

After passing inspection the nesting boxes were sited by the children assisted by rangers and the parks and gardens tree team.

Work at the park is almost complete and has involved desilting and removing rubbish from the pond, rebuilding the pond walls and islands, fitting duck ramps and matting, new aquatic planting, removing old trees and replanting with new trees, grass and wild flowers.

Additionally, repairs have been carried out on The Folly, Victorian kerb, paving, footpaths.

Meanwhile steps have been relaid and new paths created around the pond.