PUPILS from Orleton School were among almost 300 schoolchildren attending a living history camp and re-enactment day at Ludlow Castle.

The day was part of a schools project on the Mortimers and medieval life which is involving Orleton, Wigmore, Kingsland, Leintwardine, Luston and Shobdon Primary Schools as well as Ludlow Infants School and Moor Park School.

The children were greeted by a medieval lord and then had a chance to enjoy six activities and demonstrations during a packed day.

These included a barber-surgeon tending the injured, a knight displaying weapons and armour, an archer showing his skills, the Lord's Steward explaining the castle buildings, medieval dance and the Lady of the Castle explaining the role of women.

The National Curriculum requires children in primary schools to study aspects of local history and the schools involved have worked with the Mortimer Society to develop eight sessions which are taking place during the current school term.

These sessions don't just take in history but also involve geography and art as well as design and technology.

In addition to the Ludlow Castle day, the seven other sessions are an overview of medieval life; an overview of the Mortimers; castles, weapons and battles, heraldry, script and illuminated letter writing and links between the Mortimers and each school's town or village.