Youngsters at a Whitehaven primary school have been enjoying weekly visits to a Corkickle care home.

Reception pupils from St Gregory’s and St Patrick’s Catholic Infant School have been meeting with elderly residents at Bethany House to take part in a range of fun activities.

The partnership began in October last year after teachers Charlotte Gillies and Lauren Young watched the first series of Channel 4’s Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, which follows a group of pre-schoolers who relocate to a temporary nursery inside the UK’s largest retirement village.

The teachers thought it was a scheme that would benefit their reception pupils and help the elderly care home residents too.

Mrs Gillies said: “It is a delight to see the children’s faces when they see their new friends at Bethany House. The children know most residents by name and are keen to introduce themselves to new residents too.

“Bethany House was very supportive of the scheme and has said the residents are enjoying the interactions with the four and five-year-olds.The children are often asking when they will next be going to see their elderly friends.”

Since the visits began, children and residents have enjoyed activities including sharing stories, drawing pictures, making biscuits, decorating puppets, playing dominoes and singing together.

Pupils have also performed their nativity songs and put on a puppet show for the residents.

Mrs Gillies said: “We are seeing so many benefits. The children are forming positive relationships and their confidence is increasing in a range of situations.

“We’ve had so much positive feedback from the residents, carers, management at Bethany House, and families of the elderly we visit.”