boxes to sell, Devon Lane School came to the rescue.

The schoolchildren and their teacher, Jeremy Ball, made 20 bluebird boxes in less than seven days.

And recently the school presented some of their work to Laura Butterfield and Louis DeSilva of the National Trust.

But the school was not alone in coming to the Trust's rescue, said Trust director Amanda Outerbridge. The Prison Farm produced 30 bluebird boxes for Trustworthy to sell as well.

The plans and the wood for the boxes, donated by Richard Butterfield, were given to the school and the Prison Farm to assemble. Bluebird boxes are made to strict specifications so that they protect young bluebird families from predators like cats and kiskadees, Ms Outerbridge said.

And Government Conservation Officer David Wingate inspected the boxes to make sure that they met specifications.

"We are very grateful to the students and Mr. Ball and the Prison Farm,'' said Ms Outerbridge. "It was essential that the boxes were in stock for the season.'' The Trust has been receiving many requests for the boxes from people who wanted to install them in time for the spring nesting season which begins in February.

TO THE RESCUE -- Devon Lane School recently presented the National Trust with bluebird boxes to help replenish the Trust's stock. shown from left: Laura Butterfield of the Trustworthy shop, Troy Bean, Natasha Darrell, Louis DeSilva of the National Trust, Dueaughn Sigonr, Leon James of Devon Lane School, Sahkina Robinson, Kimo Robinson, Devon Lane teacher Jeremy Ball and Jaynell Bartrum.

EDUCATION ED