YOUNGSTERS braved the rain in Basingstoke to learn about building a more sustainable planet.

The charity Inspero, along with Park View Infant and Junior Schools, held the eco-community event at the school site, in Pinkerton Road, South Ham.

Despite the persistent rain, a dozen young children got involved with the activities on offer, including planting garlic bulbs and sweet peas, laying a hazel hedge and painting bird feeders.

Some of the activities took place under the shelter of the schools’ £32,000 solar dome, recently installed to give children an extra space for learning.

The hedge, laid to attract nesting birds, was installed by a professional coppicer and made possible by a £1,000 grant from Radian Housing Association.

The day was led by Catherine Waters-Clark, founder of Inspero, which supports young people and families in disadvantaged areas, and Laura Wilcock, who looks after the schools’ gardens.

Mrs Waters-Clark said: “It has been really good as this is the first one we have done together.

“We waited until the last minute, thinking we might cancel because of the rain, but we thought we should just get on with it.”