MAJOR plans are afoot to refurbish the home of a family of ducks who return to a Calne school's pond every year to rear their young.

St Dunstan's Primary School has won a Wessex Watermark Award of £150 to revamp the larger of the school's two ponds and encourage creatures to return to its designated wildlife area.

The award is excellent news for a mother duck, which has laid and hatched her eggs in the smaller of the school's ponds for nearly six years.

When the ducklings are strong enough the school holds a special ceremony to escort the mother duck and her young through the school to the larger pond, where they stay until they are old enough to leave.

Deputy head teacher Mary Pope said: "The ducks are part of the school's character and the children really look forward to their visits."

The award, organised by the Conservation Foundation, is part of a scheme, which provides funds for environmental projects within the Wessex Water area.

The school was presented with the award by Wessex Water's education officer Cath Nicholls last Wednesday.