The youngsters were taking part in a new project, Meet Your River, run by the Clyde River Foundation.

It was such a success that the Foundation is now seeking funding for other local schools.

"It is about giving primary school children the opportunity to participate in hands-on science in their own back yard," explained fishery scientist Willie Yeomans, the Foundation's catchment manager.

Youngsters were able to survey fish in the Douglas Water, rumble up the river bed and catch invertebrates living there to assess the water quality, and examine the insects living at the edge to look at the food chain.

Their morning at Douglas Water was followed by an afternoon of classroom work in the St Bride's Centre.

For more information on the project, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.