SIXTEEN youngsters from the Rother Valley joined together at Hollycombe Primary School to enjoy a morning of classical narrative poetry.

The day was part of an initiative funded by the Rother Valley Locality of schools.

The initiative offers able and talented children from different schools an opportunity to work together on a range of enrichment activities provided by the school staff themselves.

Hollycombe Primary School hosted the first event, with headteacher Tamsin Austoni leading a workshop on 'The Lady of Shalott' by Victorian poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

The session gave the children the opportunity to explore the poem's form and archaic language through discussion, drama and renaissance art.

Mrs Austoni said: "The children were really keen to ponder the mysteries of the poem and to explore the many themes.

"They also had lots of fun working with like-minded pupils from other schools."

Pupils from Hollycombe, Camelsdale, Harting, Stedham, Midhurst and Rogate schools travelled to Hollycombe, near Liphook.

The next event will be based on philosophical enquiry due to be held at Stedham Primary School.