DIPPING nets into the running water gave eight Winterbourne Rainbows an insight into the natural life of a river as they visited the River Bourne Community Farm in Laverstock.

The girls fished out May fly and Caddis Fly larvae, taking in the intricate homes made of river debris before carefully releasing them back into their natural environment before seeking more interesting creatures.

After finding leeches and water shrimps the farm volunteers took the group on a tour of the estate showing the Rainbows how best to feed the chickens, piglets, lambs and donkeys.

And the children had a chance to feed the animals themselves, finding out that the chickens had an interesting way of asking for more - by pecking at your feet feet.

Rainbow Isabelle Turner said: "It was a fantastic - fishing in the river was so much fun, we found leeches and larvae.”