A pioneering children's university has proved such a success in its first year it is to be extended next year.

More than 500 Basildon youngsters are being taught about the environment at the town's first children's university.

Now the organisers are busy planning how to make it bigger and better next year.

Students, aged between six and 14 years old, have been learning lots of 'green' skills through the Education Action Zone initiative, which is going on at four primary schools.

Parents have been invited to an awards ceremony for the students in September.

Topics have included how to create fashions without destroying valuable resources and how to protect water supplies.

The young students have also been coming up with their own solutions to existing transport problems as well as offering creative ideas about how to use waste materials to enhance and protect the environment.

Basildon and East Thurrock MP, Angela Smith, is dropping in on a class on Thursday morning and will be joined by Paul Lincoln, head of learning services for Essex County Council.

St Margaret's Primary, Bowers Gifford, Fairhouse Junior, Basildon, Bardfield Infants, Vange and Felmores Junior in Pitsea are hosting the experimental university initiative throughout the summer holidays.

Organisers hope the lessons will relieve some of the holiday boredom for youngsters and show them that learning can be fun.

Education Action Zone project director, Maggie White, said: "We have already had an enthusiastic response from parents and I think the kids themselves are really enjoying the classes which are both informative and exciting.

"The emphasis of the Children's University is fun, but the serious goal for us is to encourage learning and offer the chance to explore subjects in a greater depth than is possible during a normal school day."

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