COMMON TERNS arriving at Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, this summer will soon forget their long flight from southern and western Africa when they experience the home comforts of a specially designed tern raft thanks to the hard work of local students.

The students built the raft last year, as part of a 14 week social inclusion project based at the Three Valleys Water Environmental Studies Centre.

The idea to build the terns a floating raft for this year's breeding season came as a result of discussions between Three Valleys Water, Friends of Stockers Lake and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust who manage the nature reserve at Stockers Lake.

Maintenance & Environmental Manager at Three Valleys Water, Mr Andrew Hodges, said: "Terns are migratory birds that like to nest low to the ground near the waters edge and this makes them vulnerable to predators it is hoped that the raft will offer the birds extra protection during the nesting season."

The raft was delivered to the lake on a low-loader by Trimlock Services who helped with the launch, supervised by Three Valleys Water staff.

It was towed out onto the Lake by members of Friends of Stockers Lake and the Trust. As the raft was anchored in place, the first Common Tern seen at the Lake this year appeared overhead.

Education Centre manager, Ms Jo Moulin, said: "The students worked really hard building the raft and did well to ensure it met the exact specifications required.

"This was just one of many projects including the construction of giant tubular bells for the children's play area and an array of gardening projects, that they completed successfully during their time at the Environmental Studies Centre."