FOR a group of 12- and 13-year-olds at Neale-Wade Community College in March it was a welcome break from the classroom. And for their school pond it brought an injection of new life – literally. In the space of 45 minutes last week the pupils not only cl

FOR a group of 12- and 13-year-olds at Neale-Wade Community College in March it was a welcome break from the classroom.

And for their school pond it brought an injection of new life - literally.

In the space of 45 minutes last week the pupils not only cleared the pond and its surrounds of any litter; they also sunk a selection of plants and introduced a couple of water snails into the water.

Earlier that day students from Thomas Clarkson school in Wisbech had carried out another clean-up operation around Martin Works in Lynn Road.

Last week's projects were the latest in a growing number undertaken by members of School Pride, an offshoot of Fenland District Council's increasingly active Street Pride group.

Eight schools have already been involved in a wide variety of tasks and it is hoped that more will join in over the coming months.

Janice Holdich, who teaches citizenship at Neale-Wade, said: "Our students are always keen to muck in. Once they're given an idea and the scope to make suggestions, get involved and take on some responsibility, they're really enthusiastic. "And projects like this help them to understand they have an important part to play in protecting the environment."

School Pride has become well established at Neale-Wade while pupils from Thomas Clarkson have previously tidied up the garden in front of the Queen Mary Centre and painted the chapel walls at Leverington Road cemetery. The cemetery has also benefited from bulbs planted in the meadow by sixth formers from Wisbech Grammar school.

Meanwhile, a small group from The Junction pupil referral unit in March, have been doing various tasks in Wisbech's Venchy Park.

They have also come up with designs to improve the area that will be submitted to Roddons for consideration for the Community Improvement Fund.

It is not only secondary schools that have shown an interest. Children from Wisbech St Mary Primary School have done a couple of litterpicks and special assemblies on recycling have been held at primary schools in Murrow, March and Parson Drove.

Jeanette Milner, the council's Street Pride coordinator, said: "It's great to see students from all sorts of schools getting involved in these kind of projects.

"It all helps to get the message across to young people that looking after their local environment can be a lot of fun as well as being educational.