A MULTI-million pound project to redevelop the Nene Waterfront area of central Wisbech provides the spur for an exciting new educational project which will benefit local schools The development around the harbour area involves 300 homes, shops, offices, c

A MULTI-million pound project to redevelop the Nene Waterfront area of central Wisbech provides the spur for an exciting new educational project which will benefit local schools

The development around the harbour area involves 300 homes, shops, offices, cafes, additional yacht moorings and a stunning yacht club building, which has already won design awards.

Local schools have already been involved in the project, with web links to a live web cam over the development area and pupils' designs have been used to decorate hoardings around part of the site.

Cambridgeshire County Council's Environmental Education Service (CEES) has been working in partnership with Fenland District Council and is now poised to launch new educational programmes for primary schools, based on the prestigious developments.

Using the educational centre at Wisbech Castle as its base, CEES will be inviting schools to take part in day visits during which children will investigate Wisbech's past, present and future and compare the urban environment of Wisbech town centre with their own locality.

It is hoped that further development of educational activities for secondary schools will follow in the autumn.

Portfolio holder for young people and leisure at Fenland District, Councillor Steve Garratt, said: "This is a wonderful education project that will spread the word that Wisbech and the Fens is a thriving environment in which to live, work and play. It will also open up the fantastic heritage and history of the Fens to future generations. A really wonderful initiative."

A launch event for the new educational programmes will be hosted by Orchards Primary School, Wisbech on July 12.