Youngsters learned about wildlife on their own doorstep in the beautiful grounds of the school before writing up some work to enter in a competition.

The best efforts won the Carew Cup for Environment, named after ecologist and Hampshire county councillor for Whitehill, Bordon and Lindford Adam Carew.

Nathan Ward and Thomas Watts of Year 6 and Rebecca Brislen of Year 3 were the winners.

Nathan and Thomas devised a wall display of local habitats including Knox’s Pond on the Deadwater Valley nature reserve and St Matthew's own ‘Wildlife Churchyard’.

Rebecca provided a fantastic folder of illustrations of local wildlife, food chains and webs.

She said: “I never really win anything - my mum will be so proud of me.”

The competition was devised to get children thinking about habitats, food chains and ecosystems nearby.

Cllr Carew said: “This is the first time this cup has been awarded and we have joint winners as it was impossible to choose between them.

Rebecca, Nathan and Thomas have put a fantastic effort into their projects and we are all very impressed with their achievements.

“I got hooked on the environment when I won a nature quiz at St Matt’s all those years ago and I hope this annual competition will inspire Rebecca, Nathan, Thomas and future generations at the school to think green and look after our very special local environment.”