YOUNG birdwatchers have been helping keep track of the borough's bird population by taking part in an RSPB survey.

Children at Parish Primary School spent an hour yesterday noting down the birds they saw in their grounds of their school.

This is the second year the school has taken part in bird charity the RSPB's Big Schools Birdwatch.

Year 5 teacher Angela Hawkins said: "We decided to do the birdwatch because in school we have a focus on the environment.

"We thought it would help the children be more aware of what wildlife was in their local environment."

Staff at the school in London Lane, Plaistow, have put up bird boxes and bird tables in the grounds to try and encourage more birds to visit.

The school has 420 pupils aged between four and 11.