CHILDREN at a Worcester school learnt to look at the buildings around them in a new way after taking part in a variety of activities during national architects week.

Headteacher Jeremy Howard said that the week of events had been such a great success that it was likely to become an annual event at the Cherry Orchard Primary School.

"We were trying to encourage the children to think about design and the built environment," he said. "We wanted them to look up and notice the buildings around them. They looked at photographs of key buildings in Worcester, taken from unusual angles, and discussed their favourites.

"They liked the symmetry of the Guildhall and took particular interest in Lasletts Almhouses. They liked the ornate gates and the general feeling of tranquillity," said Mr Howard.

With the help of experts, they also learnt how to lay bricks, create a shelter of natural willow from the school grounds, build arches and construct a pyramid of plastic straws that reached the ceiling of the school hall.

"We also had a landscape gardener, who came in to talk about designing gardens and structures in gardens," said Mr Howard. "It was the first time we had done this and everyone had great fun."