ALLOSTOCK children ‘batty’ about wildlife gave nature a helping hand on February 15.

On Saturday, 13 children from the village took part in a Bird and Bat Box Workshop at the village hall.

Funded by Allostock Parish Council, the workshop saw children between the age of five and 13 working alongside Allostock ecologist Paul Hill in constructing bird and bat boxes.

The completed boxes will be erected around the Village Field and Hall so the children can observe them ‘and feel ownership of what they have achieved.’

Clr Alison Owens said: “Allostock Village Hall was the perfect venue for this exciting session.  The newly extended and superbly equipped hall resounded with the industrious chatter from local children, who had a really productive and enjoyable afternoon.”

The workshop coincided with British Trust for Ornithology’s National Nest Box Week (February 14-21).

Natural nest sites for birds such as holes in trees or old buildings are disappearing fast as gardens are ‘tidied’ and old houses are repaired.

The nest box project helps with bird and bat conservation by providing suitable nesting spaces for the animals at a critical time- breeding season.

Anyone who wishes to hire Allostock village hall for a special occasion should call 01565 72 2011.