YOUNG scientists were on cloud nine – after a neighbouring school let them share their chemistry lab.

Pupils at Rumworth School in Ladybridge were devastated when their own lab was declared out of bounds following a storm which badly damaged the school roof.

But Rumworth teacher Gina Burrows decided to do something about it and called her friend David Teasdale at Bolton School.

Mr Teasdale, who was recently highly commended by judges in the School Biology Teacher of the Year Award, spoke Dr Michael Yates, the head of chemistry at Bolton School boys' division and a fun, interactive chemistry session was organised for Rumworth School's sixth formers.

Bolton School's sixth formers assisted Dr Yates throughout the session, designed to inspire the young Einsteins.

Dr Yates closed the session with some teacher-led demonstrations that included the “whoosh bottle”, “the screaming jelly baby” and exploding balloons of hydrogen and oxygen.

Dr Yates praised his Sixth Form helpers for helping organise the sessions. He said: “At short notice, these students have offered to help out and have been of great assistance.”

Ms Burrows, key stage five lead teacher at Rumworth Sixth Form, said: “This session was part of an ongoing series of science events that we attend at Bolton School and the pupils love it. They often bicker over who gets to come on these visits! I am really grateful to Mr Teasdale for helping us out and to Dr Yates for delivering the class.

"We are hoping for a rebuild of our laboratory but it will not be ready until September.

"Rumworth is really thankful for the opportunity.”

Seventeen-year-old Joshua Howells said: “It has been a fantastic session. I would love to come again, it has been an amazing afternoon.”