Children learning about Eastern culture went on a fact-finding mission to an Indian restaurant.

A group of 30 Year 5 and 6 pupils from Caldecott Primary School, in Caldecott Road, Abingdon, took a lunchtime trip to Al-Zaib Indian restaurant, in Stert Street, to try some different foods.

The youngsters, including 11-year-old Joe Bassett, pictured, got up close to the smells and spices of Indian cuisine in a visit to the restaurant's kitchen where they watched as owner Narinder Thapar prepared and cooked a traditional buttered chicken dish.

The children then sampled various curries, breads and poppadoms in a special spread laid out for them.

Year Six pupils contacted the restaurant to ask for help with their latest project about India.

Jo Clinton, Key Stage Two co-ordinator at the school, said: "The children wrote persuasive letters in their literacy class and Al-Zaib responded.

"It was really good as the children were so excited and they have got out of it really authentic Indian food cooked by somebody who knows the cuisine."

Two more groups of pupils will visit the restaurant on consecutive weeks.

Mrs Thapar, who has two children aged two and five, decided to give the cooking demonstration after the success of a visit from her son's pre-school, Grandpont Nursery in Oxford, during the Hindu festival Diwali.

She said: "I did not hesitate in arranging it again as it was so successful last time.

"I thought it would be a nice experience for all the children to see what it's like to experience an Indian restaurant, especially when the teacher mentioned that they have hardly any Indian children in the school.

Mrs Thapar said: "I am hoping that the kids will pass the message around and will experiment with different foods and go to other places where they can eat Indian food."