CHILDREN from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Sale became budding wildlife enthusiasts after visiting a retirement complex.

Nine children from the school’s eco group were invited by Churchill Retirement Living’s Brindley Lodge development to help make its garden more wildlife friendly by adding a selection of bird feeders, bug homes and hedgehog hotels to the development on Hope Road.

They were assisted by some of the lodge’s residents who were on hand to explain about the different wildlife living in the garden.

Vanessa Heath, a teacher at the school, said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed their visit and were fascinated as the owners explained all about the different birds and bugs in the garden.

"It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to work with the community, and we’ll be returning in a few weeks’ time to see how the wildlife has taken to the new homes.”

Rachel Walsh, regional sales manager at Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We were delighted to host the children and were grateful for their help in making our Brindley Lodge garden somewhere really special for wildlife. The children were absolutely fantastic and we look forward to inviting them back to see how their project is developing.”

Brindley Lodge is made up of one and two bedroom privately-owned retirement apartments.