PLANS are in the making to create a new chicken-friendly garden at a Radcliffe primary school as part of a community-wide project.

A brood of nine chicks, five girls and five boys, hatched at Radcliffe Primary School on May 15, generating a flurry of eggcitement among pupils.

Classes helped tend to the chicks using an incubator kit from Bowland Farm.

Now, thanks to funding from Ambition for Ageing, the school is building the flock their very own garden which will become home to an intergenerational project, supported by community groups Corrie Gardeners and The Woodies.

Assistant headteacher Rebecca Kenyon said: "The chickens are currently living in my garden in temporary accommodation but they are enjoying lots of free range time.

"We always planned to keep the girls and convert an area in school into a chicken-friendly garden.

"We tweeted a picture of the area we intended to use and asked if anybody was willing to help. One of our parents volunteered and began to clear the area of weeds.

"We then connected with other local groups who were keen to help us with the project. We can't thank them all enough for the support they have given this new community project.

"The chickens will be a great asset to our school, further teaching children responsibility as well has promoting positive wellbeing.

"Once they return to school, the children will help to care for them and we hope to get lots of lovely fresh eggs."

Plans for the garden include building a new coop, a sun shade, a raised flower bed with chicken-friendly plants, a bench, and netting to cover the area to keep the chickens safe.

These practical tasks will be carried out by volunteers at The Woodies - Men in sheds, a group aimed at reducing social isolation in men over 50.

Meanwhile, members of Corrie Gardeners, who work with tenants and residents living in Coronation Gardens and Coronation Road, will visit the school on a regular basis to help pupils develop a vegetable patch and learn about growing.

Group lead Tina Harrison said: "We spotted a Tweet from Radcliffe Primary School asking if we would want to get involved in this intergenerational project. We approached Ambition for Ageing and were delighted when they confirmed the funding. This is bringing people together.

"We are really looking forward to working with the children. We will be helping them to grow vegetables, explaining about various herbs and teaching them to pot and plant."