CHILDREN enjoyed making bird boxes as part of a project to provide homes to help save dwindling sparrow and starling populations.

Ascham Homes and the Apollo Group are working with St Mary’s Primary School in The Drive, Walthamstow, to build nest boxes from flat packs prepared by the Greenwich Mencap Riverwood project.

The packs are made from recycled wood from materials used during the Decent Homes refurbishment works at Attlee Terrace, Walthamstow.

Sparrow and starling numbers are in decline and nest boxes can help the small bird populations by providing a safe, warm place to raise their brood.

Some of the nest boxes will be used in the school’s environment garden.

Mike Harris, of the Apollo Group, said: “We’re delighted to be able to extend our expertise in creating better homes to our feathered friends.

“This unusual initiative has been designed to showcase the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle – the guiding philosophy for Apollo on construction waste. It also gave pupils a chance to learn skills, such as wood-working and design technology.”