A ROSSENDALE environmental group is hoping to scoop more than £30,000 in funding to create an outdoor classroom for local children.

And if the bid is successful pupils at Alder Grange High and Constablelee Primary School could soon find themselves studying in the serene open air.

The aim is to break away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday classroom life.

Plans have now been drawn up to create an area of open space for educational purposes in the grounds of Constablelee Primary School, Rawtenstall.

And those behind the project are in the final stages of a funding application to the National Lottery that would see around £34,000 pumped into the ambitious idea.

Artists' impressions have been drawn up to simulate how the classroom could look, with a boggy area designed to encourage frogs and other insects to the land.

There would also be an area of land designated to trees and plants to help educate youngsters about the environment. A peace garden would be filled with scented flowers to give students an area of tranquility.

Rossendale Civic Pride is working with Groundwork Rossendale, Myerscough College, and heads of the schools to make the dream a reality.

Civic Pride's Jan Shutt said: "It was the headmistresses' dream to create an outdoor classroom that would help educate pupils about the outdoors and the wildlife surrounding them.

That dream now looks as though it could come true if we get the funding.

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Eileen Stubbs, head of Constablelee, said: "It was a dream I had four years ago and now the wheels are in motion to get the project off the ground.

"We are hoping we can secure enoug funding and sponsorship to have the work completed by September 2006."

Iain Hulland, head of Alder Grange, added: "The outdoor classroom is part if a close partnership with Constablelee to bring together elements of the national curriculum.

"We're very excited. I just wish I was the one to come up with such a marvellous idea!"