Almost 2,000 youngsters took part in lessons on all-things-rivers last year, and hopes are high the charity will beat its record in 2020.

Staff from the West Cumbria Rivers Trust spend their days running fun, hands-on sessions for primary school pupils, designed to help teachers deliver engaging geography and science lessons, as well as gain an interest in conservation and the environment.

And with funding of £25,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, and added support from United Utilities and Sellafield Ltd, the charity aims to reach even more pupils, after last year saw 1,005 Copeland and 979 Allerdale youngsters involved.

Cathy Gruba, Learning and Engagement Officer at West Cumbria Rivers Trust, said: “It’s always fantastic to see how inspired the kids get by the amazing creatures that live in our rivers and lakes.

“Getting to know their local wildlife really helps children understand why it’s so important to conserve our freshwater systems."

She added: "Inspiring the next generation to protect and enhance these habitats will benefit the area for generations to come, by helping to reduce flood risk and increase biodiversity.”

The Trust offers a range of programmes, with Wild Rivers days combining lessons on rivers and wildlife with a field trip for youngsters to river dip, do wildlife surveys and suggest ideas to improve the river based on what they learnt in the classroom.

Mussels in the Classroom sees pupils learn about the critically endangered freshwater mussel, which has its last stronghold in England in the rivers of Copeland.

And the newest addition to the line-up is People on the Keekle, teaching children about plastic pollution and its impact on the environment by exploring the trust's project to remove a plastic liner from the River Keekle.

Laura Fergie, Year 6 Teacher at Seaton St Paul’s Church of England Junior School, said: “Our children really enjoyed the sessions provided by West Cumbria Rivers Trust.

"The river dipping trips are still talked about regularly by our children as it helped them develop key geography skills. Cathy helps children of all abilities feel included and every child is fully engaged in her sessions.

“We are excited to widen these brilliant opportunities to other year groups within our school as they provide unforgettable memories for our children whilst teaching them about their local environment and how we can be safe in it and protect it.”

Schools can book free sessions by contacting Cathy Gruba at West Cumbria Rivers Trust., and although sessions are designed for Key Stage 2, they can be adapted for Key Stage 1.