PHOENIXES, centaurs and giant bees were dreamt up and created out of clay by pupils at Cherry Orchard School.

Twenty-two Year Five pupils from the school, on Timberdine Avenue, off Bath Road, Worcester, took part in the four-day pottery and ceramics course, called Impact.

The course began with a visit to Eastnor Castle to see ceramicist John Williams in his studio, Eastnor Pottery.

Then pupils returned to the classroom, where Mr Williams gave them a guiding hand in creating their own pottery.

"Every child got to make some very basic pots which they could take home," said Stephen Murphy, creativity co-ordinator at the school.

"Then the children created imaginary creatures on paper in charcoal which they then made out of clay.

"They absolutely loved it."

The pupils will use their skills in a later project when they create a terracotta clock for the school's entrance hall.