Junior nature enthusiasts are being invited to leave their TV screens and computer games alone this summer and enjoy the great outdoors by visiting their local park.
Beacon Park in the centre of Lichfield in Staffordshire is holding a series of pond dipping and bug hunting sessions during the school holidays. It is among a series of activities being organised by Lichfield District Council to keep youngsters entertained over the coming weeks.

The pond dipping board and platform at Beacon Park
At Beacon Park the fun starts off with a Pond Dip Day on Tuesday 26 July. Costing just £1 for a one-hour session, children will explore the stream running through Beacon Park, hunting for pond life, including diving beetles, freshwater shrimps and water scorpions. The sessions will run on the hour from 10am until the last one which starts at 2pm.

Ruth Witczak with the woodland habitat board
Then on Thursday 28 July, the team at Beacon Park will lead a Bug Hunt Day which will see children exploring the park to find creepy crawlies, including woodlice, earwigs, ladybirds, bush crickets and shield bugs. These one-hour sessions also cost £1 each and are running from 10am to 11am, 11.30am to 12.30pm, 1pm to 2pm, and 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Both the pond dipping and bug hunting sessions need to be booked in advance either by calling 01543 308869 or emailing parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk.

So much else to see and do in Beacon Park
Councillor Andy Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks, said: "These sessions are a fun way for children to find out more about local wildlife. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting a bit messy." In addition to the pond dip and bug hunt, Beacon Park will also be the setting for an Xplorer orienteering challenge which takes place on Friday 29 July between 11am and 2pm, from Beacon Park's play area. The task is to follow a map to find the markers and complete the challenge. It costs 50p for a map and is a drop-in activity. Lichfield District Council's full Summer of Fun programme can be seen
online.