KEIGHLEY children are swapping books for binoculars to take part in the UK's biggest schools wildlife survey.

Youngsters will be recording the number and species of birds visiting their school grounds between January 28 and 30.

Last year nearly 100,000 pupils and teachers across the UK took part in the RSPB Big Schools' Birdwatch and organisers hope to exceed the figure this year.

Since the scheme was launched in 2002, more than 70 different species have been recorded.

In the last survey, the blackbird came out tops, with starlings second.

Emma Reed, for the RSPB, said: "We hope the excitement of taking part in the Big Schools' Birdwatch will inspire children to get out and experience more of the wildlife around them.

"With studies showing that children are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature, a concern that is linked to poorer physical and mental health, we want to provide young people with as many opportunities as possible to have fun exploring the natural world around them."

Visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch for more details.