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Project gives children 'first trip to beach'

Dru Dodd A group of about 30 children stand on the edge of a beach with dunes behind them. They have been collecting rubbish and have netting at their feet and two are holding up a tyre. Dru Dodd
Some of the children attending beach school have never visited a beach before

A woman leading school sessions where children learn outdoors said some had never visited a beach before.

Generation Green 2 is a year-long government-funded project for schools in socially disadvantaged areas, with approximately 800 pupils from the North East signed up to visit the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.

The children spend the day on a beach or on a farm and there are also residential trips to Seahouses.

Bridie Melkerts, from Mudlarks Outdoors, who has already led sessions on Alnmouth beach, said: "Many have never seen this stretch of coastline before, and for some it was their first ever trip to the sea".

Dru Dodd A group of children are building a sandcastle on a beach with the sea behind them. The sun is low in the sky so they are mostly black shapes with a stretch of sand behind lit by the suns rays. Dru Dodd
The children's activities include catching crabs, building dens and cleaning beaches

Children from Thomas Bewick C of E Primary School in Ashington are among those who have completed one of the sessions at Alnmouth.

"It was just a joy to watch their excitement and enthusiasm," Ms Melkerts said.

"Together they have caught crabs, created amazing natural art, built dens and cleaned beaches."

Head teacher Jessica Hodson added: "They talked about how beautiful it was and really enjoyed the different activities, the litter picking, sandcastle competition and rock pooling.

"The children learned so much about the coast and how nobody is too small to make a difference."

Dru Dodd Bridie Melkerts is talking to a group of children on a beach with the image taken from behind the heads of two of the children. She is wearing jeans and a blue top and has long blonde hair. Dru Dodd
Bridie Melkerts is leading beach sessions at Alnmouth beach for 300 children

Harrison, 10, said it had been "the best school day ever," adding: "I wish we could sleep here."

Lucy, nine, said she had found "treasure", while 10-year-old Jacob described the beach as "so beautiful".

Dru Dodd Eight children jumping in the air on a beach. They are standing in front of a piece of beach art they have created. It is a sunny day and two sheds are visible behind them. Dru Dodd
During the sessions, the children do litter picks and make sculptures in the sand

Funding for Generation Green 2 has been provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It covers the cost of the sessions as well as bus fares, which can be a cost barrier for some schools.

Delivered by a coalition of 24 organisations and authorities, approximately 25,000 children are taking part nationally.

Of those visiting National Landscapes, a third are coming to Northumberland.

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