WILDLIFE-LOVER Abi Addison has outlined visions for her school's grounds.

The Ryecroft Middle School pupil, aged 10, wants to see a wildlife pond put back into the grounds of the school in Rocester, near Uttoxeter.

Children at the school haven't had a pond for around 10 years.

Abi said a variety of plants and animals, including frogs, in a pond would help her and her classmates in science. The year six pupil, who lives in Rocester, said: "A pond provides a home for all sorts of wildlife from frogs to newts and other interesting creatures.

"It is also nice to look at a well-tended pond.

"If we had one, it would help pupils by teaching them about life cycles.

"We could also go pond-dipping or fishing."

Abi's determination to get a pond has led to the school entering The Sentinel and Barclays' Class Act competition with the hope of winning money to fund the project.

If Ryecroft Middle School won one of the three £5,000 prizes up for grabs, the cash would be spent on landscaping the pond and buying plants to grow there.

Special events would be held to raise any extra money that was needed.

The pond would be sited in an area that is currently grassed-over, close to shelter from trees and JCB's lake.

Abi added: "It wouldn't be very deep so that people couldn't fall in and drown.

"We'd also have a fence around it so that vandals could not get in."

Vandalism was the problem that lead to the loss of the school's last pond.

That one was in a different location, but Stephen Ravenscroft said it has been missed by pupils.

The head of design technology and art said: "Abi is very passionate about nature so we were more than willing to go with her idea for Class Act.

"I think the enthusiasm Abi and her friends have could encourage others in the school to get involved.

"I can imagine it becoming a very hands-on project.

"The pupils will be able to touch and smell things, so it will appeal to all the senses, and they will also to tend to it as well."

He added: "A pond is something the school has missed for a long time.

"The last one went after it was vandalised but the new site that we're looking at is much harder to get into."