ACTION for the River Kennet has been welcoming school children from Marlborough to the Stonebridge reserve to learn more about the nature habitat.

Part of ARK’s tour and explore sessions at the Stonebridge Wild River Reserve over 150 children have been taking part in the outdoor sessions. Branded as Fat Face Wet Feet, following a generous donation from the Marlborough clothing branch, the sessions have been tailored to age, ability and objectives of the group.

Anna Forbes, ARK project manager, said: “It has been brilliant working with such enthusiastic children and reassuring to see how much they love the river environment and the wildlife it supports.”

Members of the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have had their own evening sessions which allowed them to dip their feet into the river, filling up bird feeders and identifying trees in the reserve.

Karen Barnes, member of staff at the branch of Fat Face in the High Street, said: “We donated the money after the Black Friday sale last year, instead of us discounting our products we decided to give anything on top of the sales to a chosen charity. We chose Action for the River Kennet as it is a good local charity.”

Over two mornings ARK helped 90 St Peter’s Junior School pupils carry out geography field work which saw the children test the water for nitrate and phosphate as well as working out the flow rate of the river.

Mrs Barnes added: “As a mother I love that the money has gone towards the kids being given the chance to go down to the river and take part in the activities.”