PUPILS from New Cumnock Primary School took part in a bridge building exercise in conjunction with the Institution of Civil Engineering.

They teamed up with staff working on the area’s flood prevention scheme to build and then dismantle a 12metre long, model cable bridge.

It was part of a project, called Bridges to Schools and 64 youngsters, from P6 and P7, were helped by specialists from the company, called Barhale.

Head teacher, Joanna McMurdo, said: “The pupils have really enjoyed their experience and embraced the opportunity to learn about the flood prevention scheme.

“The Bridges to Schools event provided the children with a great opportunity to work as a team to learn about civil engineering. Thank you to Barhale and East Ayrshire Council for providing this opportunity and involving the community in this project.”

The interactive project was made all the more appropriate and interesting as Barhale is working on phase one of the flood prevention scheme at the Leggate, New Cumnock.

Several of the workers were happy to help the children build the bridges with the blessing of Barhale’s regional manager, Patrick Seymour.

He said: “The children seemed to really enjoy the bridge building exercise. The site team, led by David Nisbet and Katie Walker, have built a really good relationship with the local community.

“There are a number of the local residents, that the flood prevention scheme is designed to protect, with children in this school and hopefully we have inspired some to be future engineers.”