SCHOOLCHILDREN from South Lakeland have created a series of vibrant new sculptures inspired by the nature that they discovered in a peat bog.

Pupils from Dean Barwick School in Witherslack visited nearby Foulshaw Moss nature reserve earlier this year, where they discovered a wealth of colourful plants and animals living at the site, managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

Back at school, the children set about making sculptures based on their experience. Local artist Ro Thomas helped them make giant toads, frogs and lizards, as well as psychedelic snakes carved from bendy logs and dragonflies made from willow frames overlaid with tissue paper and glue.

They also created a sculpture of an osprey landing on its nest, in celebration of the three chicks that successfully fledged at Foulshaw in the summer.

The sculptures were unveiled at Foulshaw Moss on Saturday (Nov 15) and will stay on public display until the end of the year.

The art work forms part of Aren’t Bogs Brilliant, a project aimed at enthusing and educating local people about the rare and precious habitat.

The project is run by the Morecambe Bay Limestones and Wetlands Nature Improvement Area (NIA).

Tania Crockett, Community Engagement Officer for the Morecambe Bay NIA, said: “Bogs are often perceived as bleak and barren landscapes but, in reality, they are full of wonderful plants and wildlife. Sadly, bogs are a rare and declining habitat but by inspiring people about them, we hope to secure a future for these precious places.”

Aren’t Bogs Brilliant continues on Monday December 1 with a free talk about Foulshaw Moss at Witherslack Village Hall from 7pm.