CHILDREN will have a lesson in literacy if a housing development plan for Weir is resubmitted.

Primary pupils from Friar's in Canon Street, Salford, visit the village to see the source of the River Irwell, which is a huge watercourse by the time it passes their school.

The Irwell begins at Irwell Springs, off Heald Lane, a former mill site in an area which is threatened with being developed for housing.

Acting deputy head Jane Pettitt said if the plans were resubmitted the school would back a local village campaign and the children would send letters in objecting and use it as a literacy project.

She said: "The children are always a bit taken aback when they realise that the river starts as just a hole in the ground, but they thoroughly enjoy visiting the area and contrasting it with where they live.

"We looked at the location and learned about the history and geography and they also gain experience of visiting a different location.

"If that area is developed for housing it means that the children would not be able to see the historical evidence of where the turkey red dye works was and also how the Irwell was channelled under the mill.

"It would also spoil the countryside round there when we should be keeping it green."