A GROUP of year one schoolchildren from Chorley donned their hard hats and got to grips with life on a building site.

The 29 youngsters from Sacred Heart Primary visited a ground-breaking 'green' scheme last Thursday afternoon to learn about the latest eco-friendly construction methods and the importance of safety on site.

North British Housing is in the process of constructing 10 rented houses behind the Brookes Arms pub on Eaves Lane.

The properties will have timber frames and many other green features to make them energy efficient and ecologically sound.

Steve Barker, from North British Housing who organised the school outing, commented: "This is very much a green scheme to help the environment.

"We wanted the schoolchildren to see a development such as ours here on Eaves Lane as earth-conscious."

The Eaves Lane project is a pilot for the latest in passive air heating systems which is to be used in three properties - the remainder will have a highly efficient gas boiler and radiator system.

Each house will also have high levels of insulation, argon filled double-glazing and will be tested for air-tightness.

The scheme is being created on a mixed funded basis with financial help from the housing association and backed by Chorley Borough Council.

Steve added: "It's great to see the enthusiasm to kids had when they came to the site.

"And it's necessary that we are doing something on their doorstep."

The children will be invited back to the site in a few months time to see the development stage by stage.

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