CHILDREN have released butterflies into a wildlife oasis at their school.

Rosalie Hill, 34, a teacher at Kelvin Grove Primary School, Kirkdale, Sydenham, won a £125 grant as part of an Earthwatch Environmental Award for teachers.

She put the money towards a butterfly garden in the school as part of a year-long project to develop a wild garden area.

Year 4 pupils watched caterpillars grow in their classroom and then released 14 butterflies.

New Zealand-born Miss Hill said: "The garden is important because a lot of children in this area don't get the opportunity to see nature close at hand."

To win her award Miss Hill had to show how it would raise awareness of environmental issues.

As part of the prize she will join scientists monitoring wildlife in Oxford in August.