By Dollie Wilson

A HOUSEBUILDER has donated a number of bird boxes to pupils in Swanage.

Barratt Homes donated the boxes alongside a feeding station and a bag of seed mix to students at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, in the hope it will encourage wildlife into the area, as well as giving the children a chance to learn more about birds.

The building company has also bought the school a number of paintable bird boxes, so that the children can decorate them and develop their art skills.

The boxes will be placed around the school, so students can watch as the birds nest and bring up their chicks.

Community liaison manager at Barratt Homes, Anthony Dimmick, said: “There’s nothing quite like real life experience when it comes to learning.

“It’s our pleasure to donate these bird boxes to St Mary's Catholic Primary School so that the children can watch their own wildlife show played out right before their eyes.”

Barratt Homes has a partnership with the RSPB and puts measurements in place at its developments to support plants and animals in order to deliver more wildlife friendly housing across the region.

Alex White from St Mary's Catholic Primary School said: “The children are very excited about the bird boxes. We can’t wait to get them put up and start looking out for nesting birds.”

Barratt Homes plans to work closely with schools as it works to bring new homes to Swanage through its Compass Point development.