An innovative springtime scheme will see a 16-acre Glebe Road green-space transformed into an interactive outdoor classroom for school pupils learning about the natural world.

The University of Leicester Botanic Garden, which is normally used for research by biological science students, will welcome children on placements from primary and secondary schools across the county as part of an initiative to give youngsters a hands-on learning experience.

This year will see a new 'Botanica' exercise, involving young people aged 12-18 taking on the roles of citizens of a fictional developing country for a day and completing a number of tasks aiming to build team work and logical thinking.

Last year the centre welcomed more than 10,000 children who attended workshops and classes on wildlife, habitats and biology, which offered a 'close up' view of topics traditionally confined to the science lab.

Education officer at the garden Ruth Godfrey said: "This programme is all about giving children the opportunity to hands on with learning in an absolutely beautiful setting.

"We want the garden is to be used as an educational tool for everyone not just students at the university," she said. "It's all about giving children and young people a more complete understanding of the natural world around them."

It is hoped the gardens, which contains a water garden, rock garden, and nationwide collections of several species of plant, will offer wider perspective for pupils in urban areas lacking in green space.

Barbara Brennan, former chief executive of children's wellbeing charity Young Mind's, said: "It is especially important for those children in city areas which often do not have large gardens or any green space to have the chance to enjoy and benefit from places like this."