TALENTED Wyre Forest youngsters got down to the bare bones during their summer holidays as they took a crash course in archaeology.

Pupils from Franche Middle School, St John's CE Middle School and Burlish Middle School were among 150 selected from schools across the county to take part in summer schools for "more able, gifted and talented pupils".

Youngsters aged between 11 and 12 spent an afternoon at Bishop's Wood Environmental Education Centre in Stourport getting to grips with a range of Anglo Saxon activities - including weaving on a replica loom and making pottery.

And they also studied "the nature of archaeological evidence" using a replica grave and skeletons.

The day was organised as part of a Worcestershire County Council scheme to offer gifted children "opportunities to develop and practise their skills in a range of challenging and stimulating contexts".