MINI construction workers donned their hard hats and high viz vests for an exciting site visit which is the start of a community partnership project in Barrow.

Beaming pupils from Bram Longstaffe Nursery visited Morgan Sindall Group on Bridge Road to see the work the company is doing for BAE Systems Submarines.

Morgan Sindall is working on the central yard complex, which is part of BAE's £300m redevelopment scheme.

The three and four-year-olds, their teachers and their parents walked the short journey to the site which is on their doorstep.

BAE Systems Submarines, Morgan Sindall Group and the Francis C Scott Trust are working in partnership with the Barrow Island nursery to help them transform an overgrown area of land into an allotment and play area.

The allotment partnership group was established when four-year-old George Scott and his headteacher Jackie Drake wrote a letter to BAE Systems explained that they wanted to develop an unused area into a useful space. George suggested writing the letter as his dad works for BAE.

There were morning and afternoon visits to Morgan Sindall for two groups of children. This was the first stage of the project. At the weekend the company is due to get to work on the nursery site, in Farm Street, to start cutting back the brambles.

The excited children went to Morgan Sindall's viewing gallery to watch the construction work operation below.

They were able to use walkie talkies to speak to construction workers on the ground. The little ones were delighted to meet mascot Ivor Goodsite, who promotes working in the construction industry and safety for children around building sites.

After lunch it was time to plant some magnolia in a flower bed at the front of the Morgan Sindall offices and receive goody bags.

George, who wrote the important letter said: "I like my hard hat and seeing the diggers."

Laila Hocknell, four, said: "I liked Ivor and seeing the digger and mixer."

Dylan Profitt, four said: "It's exciting, I went on the walkie talkie."

Mrs Drake said: "It has been an exciting and amazing visit. We are looking forward to continuing this partnership very much.

"It is great for the children to see the work here and to broaden their horizons. The building could be a place that they work."

The nursery is also working with BAE to develop scientific and investigative play equipment.

Mick Brown, logistics manager at Morgan Sindall, said: "We are supporting the school with their allotment project, but before that we wanted to get the kids here to see what we do.

"This is part of our Considerate Contractors Scheme, working with the local community to put something back into the community.

"We also want to encourage young people to join this industry."