The first summer school numeracy classes for more than 30 primary schoolchildren from the Abingdon area have been acclaimed a "great success" by the co-ordinator.

The children, aged ten and 11, came from eight schools in the town and surrounding villages. They underwent 60 hours of extra tuition at the Larkmead School in Abingdon but it was not all hard work and no play -- they enjoyed day trips to Legoland, the maze at Millets Farm Centre at Frilford Heath and shopping trips.

Even the days out had a purpose in mind. Legoland in scale model terms and the maze with its planetary theme got the children thinking, said teacher and course co-ordinator Claire Fletcher.

She said: "The whole course was varied and interesting. We were not confined to the classroom."