Their mission was to seek and destroy (by uprooting) as many Himalyan Balsam plants as they could find.

After the mission briefing, which included 'How to recognise your enemy' and 'Stay away from the waters' edge', six girls started work in the Wey & Arun Canal Trust's car park in Loxwood, West Sussex. Luckily, the enemy kept their heads up, which helped us easily spot them. After moving to the river bank, some respectable piles of 'corpses' had amassed and by lunch time it was time to beat retreat.

On the second day of our little war, twelve girls arrived, and the augmented force crossed the canal at Brewhurst lock to continue the attack in the nearby field. We chose to advance on a broad front and the 'troops' showed no mercy for the enemy who usually surrendered without too much of a struggle. When the battle was at its height, two girls beat their way round the flank and in a surprise attack, assaulted the last ditch stand from the rear. Victorious, the girls sang happily as they packed up and waited for the coach to take them back to school and home.

At the end of a successful two days, the canal's Maintenance Manager, David Jessop, commented "We are grateful to the girls for their valuable work, the teachers who accompanied them on both days and the school for allowing it to happen. The girls worked with enthusiasm and lots of laughter and it was a pleasure to work and talk with them."

Further information and photographs in the form of JPEG files can be obtained from the Wey & Arun Trust's Public Relations Officer: Sally Schupke (01483 560543): email: pr@weyandarun.co.uk

For general information on the work of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust, please telephone the Trust office on 01403 752403.