SWINDON youngsters were out and about getting a close look at nature yesterday.

And on hand to tell them all about the ugly bugs that live in the Lawns pond was Swindon's Water for Wildlife Officer Jo Sayers.

The children, who are pupils at Churchfield School spent the morning at the Lawns as part of the school's summer safari.

Jo, who works for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, joined in the fun and spoke to the children about the importance of the local ecology.

Ms Sayers said that today's youngsters did care about the world around them and knew more about nature and living things than many people gave them credit for.

Several of the youngsters joined in a pond-dipping adventure looking for the wildlife that thrives beneath surface of the pond.

"Whirligig beetles, damselfly nymphs, water boatmen which swim upside down and use their legs like oars are just some of the minibeasts that live in ponds like this," said Jo.

"They are a rich eco-system on our own doorsteps supporting a wide range of endangered wildlife from the tiny water flea to the spectacular great crested newt.

"The school's summer-time safari gave the children the chance to get up close to some of these strange and exotic creatures without having to leave Swindon," Ms Sayers said.