Story by: ADAM LAZZARI FENLAND S schools are being given the unique opportunity to win a swan. Up to 9,000 wild Whooper and Bewick swans will use the nature reserve at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Welney this winter and the first arrivals are expect

Story by: ADAM LAZZARI

FENLAND'S schools are being given the unique opportunity to win a swan.

Up to 9,000 wild Whooper and Bewick swans will use the nature reserve at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Welney this winter and the first arrivals are expected in the next few days.

Schools are being asked to help fundraise for the swans, by collecting silver coins.

The coins will be used to create a large silver swan at the Festival of Swans on November 15 and 16, an event which is held annually at the WWT Welney Wetland Centre.

The school that collects the largest number of coins will win a private floodlit swan feed for up to 40 pupils and adopt one of the Welney Whooper swans.

They will receive updates on its progress throughout the year as it makes the incredible journey to and from its breeding grounds in Iceland.

Learning manager at Welney, Sarah Graves, said: "This is a really exciting time of year at the reserve.

"Thousands of ducks have started arriving after enormous journeys and the swans are soon to follow.

"The funds raised through the 'Silver Swan' competition will be vital to ensure the future of these incredible birds that face threats such as illegal hunting and climate change."

Teachers or parents who want more information about this should visit the schools' section on the WWT Welney website, wwt.org.uk/welney, or contact Ms Graves on 01353 860711.