COMPASSES at the ready, youngsters trekked through woodland to discover pastures new and the delights of mother nature.

Teams of five under-13s from Dartford's Tree Estate put their navigating skills to the test in Beacon Wood Country Park to follow a trail in a race against time.

Afterwards, they were taken to the park's large pond by Groundwork staff to fish for pond-life and observe newts, water lice and larva close up under magnifying glasses.

Groundwork's education officer Fiona White said: "Giving children the opportunity to discover and learn about the environment in fun and stimulating ways encourages them to value and respect the place in which they live."