Thousands of pounds have been spent to fund a new project at a city school to "create unique habitats" for future years.

The new nature area was unveiled at Dussindale Primary School, in Thorpe St Andrew, with a £4,899 grant from Norfolk County Council's environment and highways department.

Conservative county councillor for Thorpe, Ian Mackie, who sponsored the project, said: "Supporting the environment is one of the main aims of county councillor grants.

Eastern Daily Press: Ian Mackie, pictured left, funded the nature area with £4,899.00 funding from the county council environment and highways grantIan Mackie, pictured left, funded the nature area with £4,899.00 funding from the county council environment and highways grant (Image: Dussindale Primary School)

"Creating unique habitats like this not only supports local wildlife but can also ignite a lifelong interest and appreciation of the natural world around us.  

READ MORE: Decade-long plan for 670 homes near city centre delayed again

"I hope the new nature area will bring a host of benefits to children for many years to come."

Eastern Daily Press: The area has been renovated to create a natural, but explorable, area and allow safe unrestrained accessThe area has been renovated to create a natural, but explorable, area and allow safe unrestrained access (Image: Dussindale Primary School)

The site has been cleared, rotavated and replanted to create a natural, but explorable, area to allow safe unrestrained access to children of all ages.

Alex Clark, science lead at the school, added: "This new nature area is a vital resource and a wonderful key learning facility for the school.

"The pond is a thriving ecosystem packed with newts, dragonflies, snails and much more."

Eastern Daily Press: County councillor Ian Mackie, Norfolk county councillor, Richard Pearson, executive head teacher, Louise Norgate, Rev James Stewart and pupils Mia, Jude, Jacob and JoshuaCounty councillor Ian Mackie, Norfolk county councillor, Richard Pearson, executive head teacher, Louise Norgate, Rev James Stewart and pupils Mia, Jude, Jacob and Joshua (Image: Dussindale Primary School)