FOR some city youngsters a taste of country life is a rare treat.

But toddlers from Blackbird Leys were given the chance to enjoy life in the open air yesterday in a new project linking town and country.

The Earth Trust, formerly the Northmoor Trust, which runs the Wittenham Clumps beauty spot near Didcot, has launched Connecting Naturally.

The £350,000 scheme will run for the next three years and will encourage families from 10 children’s centres – five in Oxford, one in Berinsfield and four in Banbury – to explore the great outdoors.

The project is being run in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and the trust expects 24,000 people to benefit.

At Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, youngsters were given the opportunity to try out a range of outdoor activities.

They included cooking popcorn on an open fire, face-painting, planting seeds in paper pots and making stick creatures.

Jenny Martin, who runs the Leys children’s centre, said: “Some people on the estate don’t have cars and they enjoy trips out so days out like this are very welcome.

“The trust provides a coach for the families and there will be trips in future to look forward to.”

Tyeesha Robinson, 23, from Cowley, who attends Florence Park children’s centre, brought her children Artayvieah Thompson, three, and Syrianne Thompson, two, to the activities day.

She said: “It’s a nice day out and we will definitely come again.”

Mrs Thompson was joined by Lisa Dulaj, 27, from Cowley, and her daughter Natesha, three. Mrs Thompson said: “I have a dog so sometimes we go to Shotover Country Park, but we have never been here before.

“Natesha has really enjoyed it. It is the first time she has ever had her face painted.”

Jenny Creese, 33, Connecting Naturally project manager, said: “We are going to help the children’s centres create their own wildlife gardens, and coming here on trips will give them lots of good ideas.

“Over the next three years we will create a calendar of nature events to help them learn more about the outdoors and the changing seasons.

“We hope the wildlife gardens will foster a sense of nurturing towards the environment.”

Harry Barton, chief executive of the Earth Trust, said: “Children can spend a lot of time these days watching TV and listening to iPods so we want to provide a day-to-day connection with the local environment.”

The five children’s centres from Oxford involved in the scheme are Florence Park, Rose Hill, and The Leys, Windale and Pegasus children’s centres in Blackbird Leys.

The project was funded by Natural England, the county council, the Earth Trust and the Patsy Wood Trust.

An open day is also being held at Hill Farm today, from 11am to 3pm.