A SOUTH Devon nursery is offering local schools free nest boxes for their feathered friends.

The offer is part of National Nest Box Week.

Otter Nurseries sells a wide range of bird care, including nest boxes, and says it takes its commitment to the Devon Wildlife Trust — with whom it has a silver level accreditation — very seriously.

The nursery is passionate about the conservation of native wildlife and specialises in plants and trees that will attract and protect these precious creatures, with staff always on hand to offer you expert advice.

The free nest boxes for schools offer is aimed at teaching children the importance of encouraging wildlife into the garden.

National Nest Box Week was launched in 1997 to compensate for the loss of many natural nest sites, owing to the gardens and woods that have been 'tidied' and old houses being repaired that previously offered holes in trees and buildings as shelter.

Since 1997, thousands of enthusiastic naturalists across the UK have put up next boxes and if everyone were to erect nest boxes in the local area, it would promote and enhance biodiversity and conservation of our breeding birds and wildlife.

Currently it is estimated that there are now five-to-six million boxes in gardens across the UK.

If you would like to register with Otter to receive a free nest box for your school, call the garden centre on 01803 214294.