YOUNGSTERS at Benwick Primary School were transported back to ancient Egypt when they held a special Egyptian day. Wearing costumes made by their parents, pupils took part in a series of workshops making mummies, stone carvings, Egyptian bread, and ink to

YOUNGSTERS at Benwick Primary School were transported back to ancient Egypt when they held a special Egyptian day.

Wearing costumes made by their parents, pupils took part in a series of workshops making mummies, stone carvings, Egyptian bread, and ink to write hieroglyphics.

After the workshops they spent the afternoon celebrating the Festival of the Nile during which the pharaoh and his queen were entertained with plays and dancing.

Teacher Jackie Clayton, said one group of pupils also acted as slaves, serving blackcurrant wine, cheese, fruit and bread.

Mrs Clayton said: "We are doing Egypt as our topic and it is so much better when the pupils can have an interactive experience. The parents had really gone to town with the costumes and did a fantastic job."

TV celebrity Tommy Walsh visited the school afterwards to open a summer fayre organised by the Friends of the school.

A bouncy castle, various stalls and games, refreshments and displays by the pupils raised around £400 which will go towards the cost of a new lending library at the school.