TOTEM poles will brighten up the surroundings of St Joseph's RC School, Stacksteads.

Pupils have been painting the poles as part of a project to develop an outdoor teaching area in the school grounds.

Groundwork Rossendale and its Environmental Task Force have been helping with the scheme.

Sixty five metres of paths are being laid, with disabled access, and trees are being pruned to open up the area.

Seating is being added, bulbs planted and wildflower seeds sown.

When the area is finished, children will be able to use it for environmental study.

Deputy headteacher Mike Ormerod said: "It's great that the children can get involved in a project such as this.

"It will give them a chance to learn more about their surroundings."

The school has entered the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Grimewatch competition, which rewards all kinds of green projects.

Winners will be announced in March.

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