TOTS turned into time travellers when a mysterious visitor dropped in at a Bromsgrove school.

Professor McGinty took youngsters at Charford First School back to the days of gladiators to Roman times as part of an exciting history project last week.

The Time Travelling Detective put on a series of shows for the children using Roman artefacts, including shields, swords and helmets.

Deputy headteacher Alison Forest said: "It was all very exciting.

"Professor McGinty brought in a special set and gave children a real feel of what life was like back in the Roman times."

Earlier that week he helped pupils in year three walk like Egyptians by taking a further step back in time with his fascinating tales of pyramids, pharaohs and sphinxes.

"All the children who saw the shows had a fantastic time. It is something they will never forget," added Alison, who is also a year three teacher.

The Charford Road students will be using their experiences with the professor to help them with other planned project work this year.