WILDLIFE could be returning to a school near you - simply by not mowing the playing fields.

Schools in Worcestershire are being encouraged to explore local fauna by letting the grass grow long.

In a new project organised by Bishops Wood Environment Centre, at Crossway Green near Stourport-on-Severn, schools will identify areas of their school field that are not being used for cricket pitches or running tracks during this summer term.

Then, by missing out a couple of cuts, they will have areas of longer grass that can be used for studying wildlife.

John Rhymer, head of Bishops Wood Centre, devised the scheme with Phil Vincent, the county ecologist.

Mr Rhymer said: "Schools are always short of money.

"Here is a simple project that costs nothing but will open up lots of possibilities.

"Any wildflowers hidden in the mown turf will get a chance to grow.

"Insects and small mammals thrive in long grass."

Mr Rhymer said kestrels were attracted by the small mammals, and bats were attracted by the insects flying above the grass.

He added: "Pupils can even design mazes to be mown in the grass and create artwork with natural materials including grass.

"We want to encourage children to get closer to wildlife, to appreciate and value it and to establish their own connections with the natural world.

"While some schools have access to wonderful woodlands and ponds, some have only grass.

"After a few weeks, the grass can be mown again if necessary, but some areas might be allowed to develop into permanent wildlife areas."

Pupils can take part in surveys of the habitats in their school grounds by logging on to the internet at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/biodiversity/ schools

Perdiswell Primary School, in Worcester, is one of the first schools to take part in the scheme.