Clacks schoolchildren are being invited to dig in and get involved with Keep Scotland Beautiful's annual Pocket Garden Design Competition.

The contest, which is being run in partnership with the Garden for Life Forum, encourages nursery and school pupils to design a miniature pocket-sized garden which includes food for people, is good for wildlife and reuses something.

The 2024 competition has a new theme ‘nature’s engineers’, to inspire pupils’ designs.

The project aims to shine a light on the incredible homes that animals build, their role in creating whole ecosystems and how modern ‘green’ technology is being inspired by natural engineering.

From bee hives to bird nests, or air conditioning inspired by termite mounds there’s lots to discover and wonder at.

The designers of the best entries will be invited to build and grow their garden at school before filming or photographing it to be displayed as part of an online interactive garden in June where people will be able to vote for their favourite.

Last year, the charity received almost 200 entries to the competition from 28 local authority areas with the work of 42 finalists being displayed in a digital showcase.

Eve Keepax, Education and Learning Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We’re pleased to announce our ninth Pocket Garden Design Competition with it’s new theme. Nature’s engineers are amazing and we’re excited to see how this theme inspires pupils’ imaginations.

“Schools tell us that their pupils love taking part in this competition and it’s a great way to bring learning for sustainability alive. It’s also a great way for pupils to learn about how they can be part of making Scotland a nature positive place whether they’re interested in bees, beavers, birds or buildings."

Designs must be submitted no later than Friday, February 23 to pocketgarden@keepscotlandbeautiful.org.