ECO-friendly pupils in Dorchester did their bit for the planet with a day of green activities.

St Mary’s Catholic First School, in Lucetta Lane, held a range of green fingered activities as part of its Eco Day on Monday.

Deputy head Paula McDonnell said: “All the children very much enjoyed taking part, planting fruit trees, making artwork and sculptures.

“It was a great day and hopefully it will help towards getting our Green Flag status.

“Everyone said they had a really fun time, one of the favourite activities was making bird boxes so the children can watch the birds come and go.”

She added: “To prepare for the day we applied for a grant from the Dorset Gardens Trust and they gave us a really generous amount and loved our ideas.

Poundbury Garden Centre donated some seeds and compost. Each child came away with a little plant pot with seeds in.”

Students at the school created a willow sculpture, renovated the bug hotel, erected a polytunnel, planted fruit trees, potted 160 seeds for the polytunnel and made bird feeder.

The school received a £300 grant from the Dorset Gardens Trust, planting materials from Poundbury Garden Centre and also received a contribution from the PTA.