Ref. 28088-18YOUNGSTERS from Ruskin Junior School joined Swindon mayor Derek Benfield to mark the designation of Stanton Park as a nature reserve.

The group of year five pupils hung a tree with decorations they had made with park rangers.

It was part of a week of tree dressing events happening in 800 different locations around the country, organised by Common Ground, which promotes nature.

Johanna Fawthrop, Nature For All community liaison officer, said the event was held to thank council officers, park rangers and local people for helping to get the park designated as a local reserve.

"It gives a clear message of conservation to the people of Swindon and we hope to designate more local reserves in the future," she said.

Creighton Muirhead, headteacher of the school in Stratton, said it was a good opportunity for the pupils to get involved with nature and the local community.

"It is a lovely resource right on our doorstep," he said. "Hopefully these children will now want to take their own families to the park."