PUPILS at Layston First School have been celebrating the birth of nine chicks. The chicks hatched earlier this week, much to the delight of Year 2 children. Class teacher Avril Cooper said: It s been a great time for the children. Most of them are unlike

PUPILS at Layston First School have been celebrating the birth of nine chicks.

The chicks hatched earlier this week, much to the delight of Year 2 children.

Class teacher Avril Cooper said: "It's been a great time for the children. Most of them are unlikely to be involved in something like this again.

"It's also quite relevant to our topic this term, which is plants and animals in their environment. We've been studying life cycles, so to witness birth at first hand is really useful."

The chicks arrived at the school as eggs two weeks ago. They will remain in the class for another week so the pupils can observe their development.

"The eggs were provided by a company called Living Eggs, who specialise in providing live hatching experiences for schools," said Mrs Cooper.

"The children have been very excited since the birth, and want to look at them and stroke them all the time.

"They've been involved with feeding and caring for the chicks too, so it really is an excellent experience for them.