Children from Pollards Hill took a walk on the wild side, playing field games and learning crafts on a nature study day at Mitcham Common Ecology Centre.

Wandsworth councillor and chairman of the Greater London Authoritys environment committee, Councillor Samantha Heath, dropped in on the Wildside Explorer day held recently at the centre, to promote energy-saving week.

She said: I think its fantastic that Merton Council and its partners Going for Green and Groundwork Merton are working so hard with children in the borough.

It is only by educating our children about energy saving and other environmental issues that we can really make a difference in the future.

Around 15 children between five and 10 had great fun producing natural products such as collages from leaves and stones. They also looked at birds and enjoyed bird-identification walks where they spotted numerous birds.

Mertons principal environment officer, Adrian Hewitt, said: This will help build confidence among the parents, teachers and students in our schools.

Abi Feltham of the Mitcham Common Conservators Education Department said it was a great chance to give children an opportunity to play safe in a natural environment.

Suzanne West of Going for Green described Mitcham Common Ecology Centre as a valuable resource for children in the deprived area of Pollards Hill.