Macclesfield schoolchildren have been learning about the positive impact animals can have on wellbeing.

Beech Hall School marked Children's Mental Health Week by hosting a special visit from Inspiring Animal Therapy.

A menagerie of creatures was brought into the school, with everything from guinea pigs, mice and rabbits to a gecko, bearded dragon and Forest, the snow corn snake.

School counsellor Lorna Colter said: "Spending time with animals is consistently one of the top coping strategies children share when thinking about what helps them to feel calm and regulated.

"This year's Children's Mental Health Week theme 'This is My Place', has encouraged us to reflect on belonging. It is incredibly important that children feel they have a place where they belong, not only within their home but also in the wider world.

"We want Beech Hall to be an inclusive and nurturing environment, where children and young people feel they belong and can say 'This is My Place'. 

"I feel very fortunate that part of my role is to support and nurture that sense of belonging.

"I am also continually aware of how much staff and pupils create this for one another through their everyday kindness, care and encouragement."

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Organised by charity Place2Be, Children's Mental Health Week ran from February 9 to 15.

Alongside the animal sessions, a range of wellbeing resources were shared with Beech Hall School pupils throughout the week to further support their mental health.

Headmaster James Allen said: "The wellbeing of our pupils is at the very heart of everything that we do at Beech Hall School.

"Initiatives such as this week's activities help to reinforce our commitment to creating an environment where every child feels valued, supported and included."