PUPILS from Ashlands Primary School continued their education outdoors when they learned about the water cycle on Ilkley Moor.

About 140 pupils from Ashlands Primary School, Leeds Road, set out from Darwins Gardens car park, climbed to White Wells cottage, over to the upper tarn, down through the moor to observe a small area of peatland and back to the starting point.

They heard about the concepts of water evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection of water on the ground. They observed the water as it moved through the landscape; looking at clouds and rain fall and were shown different forms of water movement and collection throughout Ilkley Moor: the streams, tarns, waterfalls, springs and peat bogs.

They learnt about the role sphagnum moss plays in the water cycle by acting as a large sponge, holding water in the uplands - how during the War schoolchildren spend Friday afternoons collecting the moss, which was then sent to army hospital camps to aid in the healing of soldiers wounds.

The moss is extremely absorbent and naturally antiseptic.

The pupils also had time to explore the wildlife in the upper tarn and learn about the conservation issues.

The walk was one of several educational activities being organised by Friend of Ilkley Moor Project Officer, Tracy Gray.

She said: "It is widely accepted that outdoor education forms a valuable component of a rich educational experience, providing a very important setting for young people to apply knowledge learnt in the classroom to the real environment. It also provides young people opportunities to discover more about themselves, learn new knowledge and skills and develop environmental awareness."

Schools or youth organisations who are interested in outdoor educational sessions can contact Tracy Gray at tracy@ilkleymoor.org, or by calling 07854447947.