A WILDLIFE display by a school and a trust have transformed a funeral parlour to help protect woodland.

Pupils from Sandown Primary School in the Ridge, Hastings and Ore Community Land Trust (Ore CLT) have raised awareness for World Environment Day.

They have created a collage in Banfield and Pomphrey Funeral Directors’ in Old London Road, Hastings.

The display is to highlight the need to protect North East Hastings’ last green area, Speckled Wood, from urbanisation.

Tony Hart, funeral director at Banfield and Pomphrey, said: “Banfield and Pomphrey is very fortunate to be situated in Old London Road.

The Argus: Display made by Sandown Primary School in the Ridge and Ore Community Land TrustDisplay made by Sandown Primary School in the Ridge and Ore Community Land Trust

“Not only do we get a great view of the last green lung in North East Hastings, Speckled Wood, we’re also in a very busy area and can stand out with our window display.

“I can’t think of a more worthy cause to promote in the area for World Environment Day than the preservation of Speckled Wood.

“We hope our transformed windows, thanks to the pupils of Sandown Primary, inspires the residents of Hastings to support the Ore Community Land Trust.”

Ore CLT seeks to protect land in the Upper Ore Valley to save and enhance urban woodland and green space for community use and to protect animal habitat.

Jim Breeds, chairman of Ore CLT, said: “Every now and then someone tries to secure planning permission in Speckled Wood, which is where we come in to launch a campaign for its preservation.

“We’ve been very successful to date.

“However, our work can only continue so long as the residents of Hastings support our cause, and Sandown Primary, along with Banfield and Pomphrey, have been a massive help in raising awareness.”

Jim approached Tony, a fellow Hastings Borough Bonfire Society member, with the idea of utilising Banfield and Pomphrey’s prominent location for Ore CLT and was met with overwhelming support.

The Argus: Speckled Wood is the last remaining green space in North East Hastings and people want it protected.Speckled Wood is the last remaining green space in North East Hastings and people want it protected.

He then asked Sandown Primary for the help of its pupils in making colourful woodland drawings, models and paintings to display.

Kate Tugwell, deputy head at Sandown Primary, said: “There is a strong 'outdoor learning' ethos at Sandown, and we embrace any opportunity to bring the natural world into our pupils’ wider experience.

“To be able to support the Speckled Wood project was a pleasure.”