Video and pictures: TV presenter Andy Day in surprise for Telford pupils
[gallery] Children who went down to the woods were in for a big surprise, when a TV presenter turned up to help them open a woodland walk.
Homebuilder Redrow invited a class of 30 youngsters from Apley Wood Primary School to The Coppice in Leegomery, Telford, to officially open a woodland walk which forms part of a new homes development.
But unknown to the children, TV presenter Andy Day from CBeebies had also been asked to join them.
Teacher Rachel Gould, 34, from Lawley, a teacher at Apley Wood Primary School, said that it had been an absolutely fantastic day for the pupils.
She said: "They knew they were coming to open the woodland walk today, but had no idea Andy Day would be here – they were thrilled when they found out. The children went on a picnic, did some animal painting and also went on a dinosaur egg hunt with Andy.
"It was an exciting day for the children but also a very educational one that fits well into the curriculum, which is strongly linked to the outdoors."
Pauline Turnbull, sales director for Redrow Homes (Midlands), said: "Teaching children about the environment around them is important and so we wanted to invite them to be the first to explore the new woodland walk we've created at The Coppice."
"Many people don't realise just how much of a positive impact developers can have on the environment.
"Last year, Redrow created 209 hectares of public open space in England and Wales and planted a huge number of new trees and shrubs within our developments, as well as protecting existing woodland like that at The Coppice.
"We've also committed to key initiatives to protect and enhance the UK's bumblebee and bird populations."
Redrow created the nature walk, which sits within an existing 1.3 acre woodland at the corner of their home building site, to encourage residents to take an interest in the natural environment.
