CHILDREN at The Whartons in Otley were delighted to meet 101-year-old Mrs Peggie Lambert when she visited their school to donate oak saplings.

Head pupils Julia, Oliver and Eli welcomed Mrs Lambert, who lives in Otley and is a former teacher.

The school's Headteacher Mrs Julia Dickson said: "Recently, some resident jays had taken to planting acorns, which were surplus to their requirements, in Mrs Lambert’s garden. The acorns had sprouted into small oak saplings across the garden. Not wanting good young trees to go to waste, Mrs Lambert contacted Neil Griffith, from Otley Wildlife Arts Festival, to enquire if he knew of any schools who may want the saplings."

Mr Griffith had worked with The Whartons Primary on a rewilding project for the school field. He knew the school was in the process of planting trees and shrubs to create a wildlife corridor, connecting habitats at different ends of the school grounds. He facilitated the visit and the donation of the saplings.

Mrs Dickson said she was was thrilled with the new trees and she thanked Mrs Lambert on behalf of the whole school - promising to keep her up to date with the progress of the trees.