The county’s schools finished the term in true Easter style by donning traditional bonnets last week, doing a sponsored Easter bunny hop and even welcoming a donkey in a Palm Sunday re-enactment.

Children at the Humpty Dumpty Nursery in Calne raised £231 towards a new garden with their sponsored bunny hop.

Youngsters at the nursery, near John Bentley School, wore bunny ears for the hop and also had an Easter bonnet competition and egg hunt.

The nursery hopes to include a dinosaur land, a fairy garden, a musical washing line and a vegetable patch in its revamped outdoor space.

The plans were drawn up by baby room leader Laura Webb, who is looking for businesses to sponsor the garden.

Manager Louise Barlow said: “We do have a garden but it’s a little bit tired.

“As soon as we saw Laura’s plans it inspired us all. Most of the parents have been so kind. They have brought in plants, wind chimes, toy dinosaurs for the dinosaur land and little children’s lights.”

Whitehall Garden Centre donated £20 worth of vouchers towards the garden. Local businesses wishing to donate should call (01249) 822545.

Children at Heddington Primary School took part in a Palm Sunday re-enactment with a real donkey to celebrate the run-up to Easter Sunday.

As Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem on a donkey the children made paper palm branches to wave as the donkey arrived. They also baked bread for a re-enactment of the Last Supper.

The donkey trip was organised by the Rev Philip Bromiley, who also took the animal to see children at Cherhill Primary School.

Headteacher Ashley Martin said: “The children really enjoyed it. They got a chance to handle the donkey, which was great. They waved their palms and greeted the donkey, and we had Jesus and the disciples following.

“For many children Easter is just about Easter eggs and it’s very important for us as a church school to instil in them the true meaning of Easter. It’s about Jesus dying on the cross and about the resurrection and new life.”

Children at Lodge Farm Nursery were treated by the Easter bunny after parading their best bonnets.

Children at the Kington St Michael nursery showed off their handywork, giving a twirl in the Easter bonnets they had made at home with their parents.

An array of headwear, from straw hats to baseball caps, was turned into fluffy chicks, bunnies, and even a duck with the help of papier mache, tissue paper, balloons and bows.

The youngsters also painted eggs and their forest school woodland walk was turned into a hunt for chocolate eggs.

Nursery manager Rebekka Goodall said: “Our Easter bonnet parade is always a wonderful time for family members to come in and watch the children have great fun.

“The children are proud of what they have made and love showing their bonnets to their friends and teachers.

“The children enjoy being creative and getting stuck in the fun but best of all they enjoy the visit from the Easter Bunny.

“They all get very excited and love having cuddles, but their favourite part is receiving their very special treat.”

Last Wednesday children at Seagry Pre-school did a sponsored Easter bounce to raise money for the outdoor area, followed by an Easter egg hunt, and then enjoyed a picnic with Easter- themed lunch boxes.

Children and parents at Sunny Days Pre-school in Lyneham tracked down eggs hidden by the Easter bunny and took part in a bonnet parade last week.

The Easter bunny left a note for children, who followed clues and footprints to the field at Lyneham Primary School where they found the scattered eggs.

Pre-school manager Jean Rimmer said: “I just thought it would be a nice way of getting to know the parents. The Easter bunny joined in afterwards and gave them a reward of chocolate lollies and they sang him a song.”