CHILDREN in Ilminster got a nice surprise last week as a giraffe rolled into town in the Life Education bus.

Harold the puppet giraffe was brought in in the mobile classroom by Life Education Wessex educator Helen Morrall to help the town's children to learn about looking after their bodies.

Year 5 children from Swanmead school took part in the education bus classes, as well as pupils from Greenfylde.

Claire Oaten, headteacher at Greenfylde, said: "They talked about personal health and emotional education.

"The children love it and it was a very safe and secure way of encouraging them to think about themselves and their wellbeing.

"They looked at their own wellbeing and care, and what they should be eating.

"They helped Harold the giraffe learn these things, and they talked about night time and how we need to sleep.

"It is making learning fun and helpful and parents are involved in it as well."

Life Education run programmes across the country for children aged between three and 13.

Helen Morrall, educator for Life Education Wessex, said: "The children were all absolutely delightful. The programmes are all great fun and everything is age specific.

"They come in and help Harold the giraffe to sort out a few problems he might have. They help Harold through various situations and these are all things that they will go through in life.

"It was delightful. All the children worked so hard, it was an absolute joy to teach them."

For more information, visit lifeeducationwessex.org.uk.