Children learned about conservation and the impact of invasive species at Siblyback Lake.

Youngsters from St Breward Community Primary School donned waders and grabbed nets as they went on a walk with the South West Lakes Trust’s countryside warden Nigel Tomkinson.

During a survey in the stream the children found a common frog and cased caddis fly larvae, just two of the hundreds of creatures that call the lakeside habitat home.

There was also the chance to hear about the work done by the Trust to protect native species such as bats.

Nicola Morris is the South West Lakes Trust invasive species officer. She said: ’A big part of my role is to engage with people who visit the lakes and to educate user groups and school groups on the importance of good biosecurity.

’Many of the children who joined us for the workshop are visitors to Siblyback and our other lakes so this is a great opportunity to engage with and encourage them to spread the message about the impacts of invasive non-native species and what everyone can do to help prevent their spread.

’Conservation and wildlife education has the greatest impact when it is taught at a young age and these children really enjoyed their visit and went away with lots of new knowledge which will stay with them.’