PUPILS at Monkton Park School in Chippenham have been enjoying a real 'tweet' this term, watching blackbirds nesting in the boys' toilets.

Two adult birds got into the toilets through a window during the Easter holiday and set up a nest on one of the cisterns.

The school decided not to disturb the birds and closed the toilets so they could nest in peace.

The boys had to cross their legs and use toilets further down the corridor instead. A camera was set up at close quarters and the pupils were able to watch the birds' every move.

"After a month we had eggs hatched out. The children were really interested so we set up a camera," said deputy head Will Hubert.

Three chicks were born and have been carefully looked after. Caretaker Bernard Law made sure the birds had plenty to eat and has been giving them worms, bread and seeds.

"We have been watching the mum and dad come in and feed the babies," said Mr Hulbert. This week, two of the chicks have flown the nest and Mr Hulbert said they were expecting the remaining one to fly off any day.

"All three were successfully reared. Which is great, especially since the mother had only one eye," he said.

Mr Hulbert said he believed the birds first appeared in January when the school set up a bird table outside to take part in an RSPB survey.

"We did data collection for the RSPB and then we did some work for our maths lessons. It fitted in very well with the maths unit," said Mr Hulbert.

He said he believed the adult blackbirds arrived in January and when they were ready to bred they moved indoors to rear their young.

"The adults will probably go now. We are not expecting them to breed again but we will leave the window open just in case.

"It is a safety window so we can leave it open about three inches," said Mr Hulbert.