Longshaw Junior School in Blackburn has become one of the first schools in Lancashire to have its own team of racing pigeons.

Deputy Head, Jonathan Berry, told us: “The project has been set up in conjunction with Oswaldtwistle Homing Society following a visit to our school from society member Peter Hargreaves last October. The project has proven to be a huge success and we look forward to our first race on the 26th July with our young birds.

“As a Deputy Head, I am always looking for platforms to engage the children in their learning. Keeping pigeons has certainly hit the spot with many of our pupils who are mad keen and potential fanciers of the future. There are endless possibilities in: Mathematics, History and Geography where the children experience first hand how the curriculum can underpin such an exciting hobby.

“We have been very fortunate to have birds bred for us from local fanciers along with a donation of ancillary items from Mike Riding, a smashing bloke and keen fancier from Longridge. Peter Hargreaves has been nothing short of superb; his commitment to the sport and our children has been fantastic!”

See more photos on the school’s Twitter page.