Children in Ystrad Mynach have been building the perfect home for a hobbit in the woods in their school grounds.
The children, from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Penalltau, created the willow structure with the help of a £200 grant from the Forest Education Initiative (FEI).
Staff from Natural Resources Wales helped the Caerphilly FEI group to organise the day and enlisted the expertise of Mel Bastir of Out to Learn Willow in the Vale of Glamorgan, who supplied the willow and tools for the job.
The children, aged from eight to 11, got stuck in to digging and planting as they built the dome, which will be used as a shelter for pupils during outdoor learning sessions in a wooded area known as Coedlan.
Lowri Owen, deputy headteacher, said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have been discussing the properties of willow with teachers and their class. They are looking forward to creating something else now.”
Aled Hopkin, from Natural Resources Wales, said: “It was great to see the children working so enthusiastically.
“As well as learning about the versatility of wood and its many uses, the children have built something which will provide a sustainable resource for the school to use for further activities.”