Amphibians were welcomed into the classrooms of two Carmarthenshire primary schools recently. Children at Ysgol Ffairfach and Ysgol Llanedi enjoyed seeing male and female newts and toads which were carefully brought from the wild for the day, before being returned to their pond. The children showed enthusiasm and some knowledge of our native amphibians and were very keen to see them all at close quarters. A pair of toads was one of the highlights of the visit with a photograph being shown of how the toads and other amphibians have to cross roads and the dangers involved.

The county's grass verges and hedgerows play an important part in providing a safer thoroughfare and refuge for frogs, toads and newts. Linking in with the National Curriculum, the pupils discussed the importance of these creatures in the environment and in protecting garden plants and vegetables by eating slugs. Both schools have vegetable and ornamental gardens, which the children look after. At the end of the visit the children watched while a tank of pond water, weed and frog spawn was set up for them all to observe the frog spawn's development into frogs. The children are monitoring the growth of the tadpoles and once fully developed, the frogs will be returned to their home pond.