PUPILS at a Didcot primary school got the chance to pet some chicks after watching them hatch.

Staff at Willowcroft Community School in Mereland Road had raised money for an incubator by selling children’s handmade gifts at Christmas.

Eggs were incubated for 21 days and four chicks hatched last Wednesday.

Staff at the 270-pupil primary school also made a video of the chicks hatching and put the recording online.

Teacher Rachel Downey said: “We thought it would be a good idea to encourage 53 children in the school’s nursery class to learn about the lifecycle of a chicken. They loved watching the chicks hatch.

“The chicks are now in a cage and a run has been built for them outside.

“Once they get too big for school the nursery nurse, Charlotte Pacey, is going to take them home and look after them.”

Jude Rushton, four, from Didcot, said: “I liked hearing them chirp.”

Evie Cornick, four, from Didcot, added: “It’s funny when they stand in the food.”

And Alex Such, four, from Didcot, said: “They look like they’re dancing.”