CHILDREN at a Furness school have increase their visits to the woods to take in the benefits of the outdoors.

Nursery, Reception and Year 1 pupils at Burlington CE Primary and Nursery School in Kirkby have been taking in views across the Duddon Estuary on their regular walks.

Class One teacher Laura Holden explained why the school thought the visits were so important.

She said: "We make regular visits to the woods.

"Since returning to school in September visits have increased from fortnightly to weekly, to provide our children with more outdoor experiences, especially in the current situation.

"The walk to the woods and back is approximately two miles and provides breath taking views across the Duddon Estuary and across to Black Combe. Once at the woods, children take part in activities such as canopy gazing, den building, collecting different leaves, potion making, toasting marshmallows and making mud slides, to name just a few.

"We believe that being outdoors promotes children's wellbeing, something we really need to be aware of, now than more than ever. In addition to the obvious health benefits from walking there and back, children also develop better social skills, the ability to work in a team, they build resilience and we promote an appreciation for our natural environment.

"We can also take the curriculum into the woods, especially subjects like science, practical maths and art. Witnessing the changes that happen across the four seasons is magical."