Ref. 30934-65AROUND 40 children from a Wanborough school have been getting creepy-crawly as part of National Insect Week 2004.

The children from Year Three at Wanborough County Primary School held millipedes and locusts before going out into the wilderness to find their own examples of insects.

The children were given the chance to get up close and personal to the mini-beasts by Dr Chantelle Jay, schools officer for the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council based at North Star in Swindon.

The organisation has set up the country's first National Insect Week with the Royal Entomological Society.

The aim of the week is to raise the profile of insects and try to encourage the study of entomology

Teacher, Ian Guthrie said: "The children have been holding the insects with great courage, although the girls tend to be more reluctant than the boys.

"We then took the children outside to find insects and to help create their own habitats, so they have found insects like spiders, green ants, and ladybirds."

Dr Jay said, "Insects are fascinating creatures and this is a great opportunity for the children to get really up close with them and to learn first hand what insects are and where to find them."

To find out more about insects and National Insect Week, visit the website at www.national insectweek.co.uk

Anthony Osborne