Children and staff at Abacus school in Wickford have been out in the wind and rain busily constructing a living willow tree tunnel on the school grounds.

Planting the willows - Wat Tyler's Chris Sanudo helped by Emily Wilson, Daniel Smith and Laura Welthy Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

The tunnel accompanies a dome-shaped living willow structure and will provide children with a shaded area for reading, forming friendships and play.

Representatives from Wat Tyler Country Park, Basildon, helped students plant and weave the structure over a two-day period.

Pupils of all years will be actively involved in the maintenance of the tunnel. Sandy Munson, assistant special needs co-ordinator, said: "Planting something helps give the children a sense of responsibility for the environment."

Abacus, at Tresco Way on the Wick estate, opened in September 2002 sponsored by the Pitsea Marshes Cleanaway Trust.

Published Friday January 16, 2004

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