SOME youngsters in West Somerset were so keen on lessons they went back to the classroom during the schools' summer holidays.

For the first time ever, Danesfield Community Middle School, in Williton, ran a two-week summer school devoted to literacy.

The aim was to firm up the literacy skills of 11-year-olds due to start secondary education in September and 30 pupils took the chance to attend the summer school.

Among them were, pictured from the left, Josh Watkins, Jonathan Cade, Ben Hardman, Joanne Bruford, Jess Griffin and, in front, Meili Taylor.

Two teachers and two special needs assistants took the classes, which were part of the Government's initiative to improve literacy skills among 11 to 13-year-olds nationwide.

But, although the programme followed was a rigorous one, the children had given up their time voluntarily so a lot of the emphasis was on fun.

They visited Bristol Museum and saw a magic show and a study of stars inside an inflatable dome erected in the hall - all part of the theme of 'Into the Unknown'.

Photo: Steve Guscott.