Children from Pembroke's Golden Grove School became freshwater biologists when they enjoyed one of the first pond-dipping sessions at Freshwater East Burrows Local Nature Reserve.

The Year Six pupils braved freezing temperatures and used nets to investigate what is living in a new pond dug by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority rangers, wardens and volunteers last year.

The children were amazed to find a wide variety of creatures in the pond, even though National Park discovery ranger Gayle Lister had had to break the ice on the surface before the session could begin.

Freshwater East Burrows is the only Local Nature Reserve in the National Park. It is managed by community organisation Freshwater East Reserve for Nature (FERN) and the National Park Authority. It consists of sand dunes, grassland, scrub, woodland, marshland and the new pond with dipping platforms.

The authority uses the area for education sessions throughout the year and Golden Grove was the first school to try out the pond since it filled with rain water.

Pupil Harry Turner said: "I've been to the beach before, but I've never seen the pond and the marsh; I like it, it's really peaceful. If it was a warm, sunny day you could come down and spend a whole day here."

Discovery ranger Gayle Lister said: "What's great about Freshwater East is that we can explore three habitats: woodland, freshwater and salt water. A lot of the children who come on the sessions live in Pembroke, but have never been out here before. That's why I like my job title, because we really are helping young people to discover things which they may never come across otherwise."

After the morning pond-dipping session, the children went rock-pooling on the beach, to discover a different habitat. Pupil Jack Walker said: "My favourite thing was climbing over the rocks and it was fun looking for creatures in the rock-pools. We found dog whelks, shells, limpets and a crab. I will definitely come again in the summer because I enjoyed it."

Teacher Julie Davies added: "With this kind of session we try to encourage children to make the most of what is free in Pembrokeshire, and to get families to realise they don't have to spend a fortune to have a good time - they can come into the National Park and have a great day out for the cost of a Coastal Cruiser bus fare."

Find out more about the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's programme of education sessions by calling 0845 345 7275.