A transformed pond, designed and built by pupils, was opened at Newport Primary School this week in front of hundreds of youngsters, parents and those who have volunteered their time and money to make the pool a reality.

The wildlife hub was opened on Monday morning by Ben Cowell, director for National Trust Eastern England, who presented each of the three young design competition winners with a festively wrapped bird box, before cutting the ribbon to the pond.

“Kids need access to wildlife and all the different creatures that live in the pond, and it is fantastic they have the chance to explore wildlife on their doorstep,” said Mr Cowell.

Children from Newport Primary were able to help with the actual building of the pond and its surroundings, which includes a deck on which to look at the pond, and a bug box to get to know the creepy crawlies of their local environs.

Speaking at the opening, headmaster John Howett thanked Aimee Franks from the school’s Parent Forum in particular, who came up with the idea of transforming the overgrown and unused pond at a meeting a year and a half ago, and achieved this “with no cost to the school.”

Mr Howett also praised a number of businesses and local organisations, including timber and builder merchants Ridgeons, Jay Matthews carpentry, and Newport Fire station, who pumped out the old pond “whilst leaving all the frogs intact, hopefully”.