WHILE many of their friends have been busy enjoying the start of the summer holidays, dedicated youngsters at a Hartlepool school have gone back into the classroom.

More than 80 year six and seven pupils, aged ten to 12, from Manor College of Technology, volunteered for a summer school in the first two weeks of the holiday period to learn more about the world of industry and engineering.

As part of the scheme, 20 students spent the day at Enron's gas processing plant, at Wilton, on Teesside, where they were given a guided tour of the facilities and enjoyed a computer-generated "flyover" of the site.

The youngsters then set about designing posters for the plant, which helped to advertise what the plant does and how it operates.

Engineers from the plant also took up the role of teachers when they went into the school and got students to take part in an interactive computer programme, using their maths and IT skills so that they were then able to run the plant themselves.

Paul Verrill, gas processing plant manager at Enron, said: "This was an excellent opportunity for the students to see what we do here.

"It was pleasing to see so many of them were prepared to use part of their summer holiday to learn more about the plant and hopefully some of these students will become the industry bosses of the future."

Peter Burn, community primary teacher at Manor College said: "This is the first time we have organised a summer school ands we hope they will become a regular feature.

"Several projects were carried out over the fortnight, which all involved research, talking to different companies, using IT, design and maths skills.

"We hope the children enjoyed themselves as well as learning some new skills.

"It is important to get over to the students that facilities like these do not just run themselves. There are highly skilled men and women making sure the entire plant operates smoothly.