HISTORY, baking and lifesaving messages came together yesterday when children enjoyed a day of activities inspired by the Great Fire of London.

The historic fire of 1666 is one of the most famous events in British history and started in a bakery in Pudding Lane.

Youngsters at St Mary’s Primary School in Newton Aycliffe have been fascinated by the event and their teachers have been working alongside local firefighters and bakers at Tesco supermarket in the town to explore wider issues relating to the disaster.

As well as taking a trip to Newton Aycliffe Fire Station to learn about fire safety, year two pupils have been learning to bake bread safely with the help of Tesco’s bakery manager Ken Brannan,. And yesterday, the youngsters invited their relatives and their new firefighter friends to enjoy the fruits of their labour, which also included cakes and pork pies.

The homemade treats were available to buy and all of the money raised will be used to fund extra activities and equipment for the year group, including a trip to Beamish Museum.

Year two year Joanne Wills said :“It really brought the history to life. The children have absolutely loved it.”