13891/4GAZETTE & HERALD: YOUNG wildlife enthusiasts came eye to eye with wood mice and voles at the first meeting of the Chippenham's new Watch group on Saturday.

Children aged between eight and 11 enjoyed a fascinating couple of hours at Baydons Lane Meadow in the company of mammal expert Mark Satinet, who had set up a series of humane traps for the creatures, so the young naturalists could see them at close quarters.

The first trap contained a wood mouse, and Mr Satinet explained how to identify and weigh the mouse before returning it to the wild.

Another trap held a very jumpy bank vole, which was also weighed before it was returned, unharmed, to the undergrowth.

Mr Satinet also explained how the traps worked and gave the children lots of information about small mammals including shrews, water voles and field mice.

The meeting kicked off at the Jubilee Rooms with children finding out about mammal footprints and ended with a mask making session.

The Watch group is a junior branch of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and will meet monthly.

Sarah Wood, Wildlife Watch Co-ordinator said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Chippenham to learn about the environment and wildlife on their doorstep, make new friends and have lots of fun.

"We have some very exciting, hands-on projects for the group including monitoring wildlife - from small, furry animals to wet, slimy fish and creepy crawly mini-beasts; planting trees; making bird boxes and finding out what wildlife used to live in Chippenham millions of years ago."

The group will meet on the third Saturday of each month.

Wildlife Watch is the UK's leading action club for young environmentalists and junior members have the opportunity to collect badges.

Contact Sarah Wood on (01380) 725670 ext 248 for information.