PUPILS from five primary schools tested their orienteering skills at an event held in Thornbury.

A sport cluster was recently set up by Tom Mullins, deputy head teacher of Gillingstool Primary, for a number of schools in the town and surrounding area.

As a result, an orienteering challenge day was organised that involved youngsters from Gillingstool, Crossways, Christ the King and St Mary's primary schools in Thornbury, together with children from Charfield Primary.

The pupils, aged from five to 11, took part and although many of them had little prior knowledge of orienteering, soon used their map reading skills to complete a variety of challenge courses and activities.

The event also developed their teamwork and communication skills.

Andy Kirkup, the event leader, created the course.

He said: "We’ve recently installed a permanent orienteering course at Gillingstool and it was fantastic for a group of pupils from the Thornbury cluster to come and experience it.

"The pupils loved the challenges, especially the course that covered the whole of the school grounds. They really had to use all the skills they had learned for that. It was very good to see the children from five different schools working, learning and having fun together.”