CLYDE in the Classroom, the environmental and fishery science education programme for children run by the Clyde River Foundation and now in its 10th year, has broken through the 10,000 total of pupil participants.

The new record figure was reached this month when more than 1400 youngsters attended a series of events at Glasgow Science Centre, one of the project partners.

The programme, which aims to encourage children to take an active role in their local rivers, has reached over 50 schools. It introduces pupils to river ecology and biodiversity by creating classroom trout hatcheries and then releasing the fish into the Clyde and its 4000 km of tributary catchment.

Pupils are responsible for the husbandry of the eggs and fish by keeping water temperatures are the right levels and ensuring it stays clean and healthy. The project runs for seven weeks between mid-January and Easter each year. The children also learn about the lifecycle of brown and sea trout, and study issues affecting the river’s fish stocks.

A long list of sponsors includes the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage and charitable foundations as well as angling clubs. BAE Systems, which operates shipards at Govan and Scotstoun, has donated £10,000 under its education outreach programme.

Schools interested in taking part should contact Caroline McGillivray of the Clyde River Foundation HERE or phone – 0141 330 5080.