A GROUP of young wildlife enthusiasts from Droitwich and the surrounding area, has won a national award from the Wildlife Trust.

The ‘Watch out Wednesdays’ group, which is based at Lower Smite Farm in Hindlip, gives young people the chance to try everything from pond-dipping, and bird-box building, to snake-egg-spotting, tree-climbing, campfire-cooking and field visits, at various locations across the county during.

Judges were impressed with the range of activities on offer , and how many of the adventures were requested by the children.

Heather Bainbridge, one of the group’s leaders said: “We’re so proud. We’ve actively explored Worcestershire over the past 12 months and all of the children regularly astonish me with their enthusiasm for wildlife.

“I love being a watch leader – I can share my passion for wildlife with young people but I also learn so much from the children themselves.”

Eight-year-old Isabel Faith Jones, from Droitwich has been attending the group. She added: “Our Watch out Wednesdays are so much fun – we get to do so many amazing wildlife activities. I’ve learned so much from this group and always look forward to the next meeting.”

The group meets for an hour and a half long evening session once a month, and the children who attend are aged between five and 11.

In the past year they visited poppy fields, cooked worm bread on the camp fire, got up close with slow-worms, hunted for grasshoppers and measured how far they could jump, and made woodland musical instruments.

Nick Baker, the Wildlife Trust’s vice president, said: “Wow you've been up to loads of good stuff with your Wildlife Watch groups. Which is not only fantastic for all those young people involved, it is a sound and wise investment in the future health of not only those Watch members (and the leaders and volunteers that make it all happen too) but also to the future and health of our environment.

“Just the simple, easy to take for granted connections that the Watch groups make between people and nature are, quite simply, essential. So keep up the good work, you're making a huge difference right now!"

To find out more about Wildlife Watch, family activities that the Trust run and how to get involved visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/for-children or call 01905 754919.