CHILDREN were transported back in time to a Victorian schoolroom when they celebrated the 150th anniversary of a Bolton church.

The Breightmet Victorian Experience saw part of St James Church in Roscoe Avenue, Breightmet, converted into a classroom.

A schoolmistress in period costume gathered together pupils from Roscow Fold, St Andrews and Red Lane primary schools and children from the St James Sunday school, and took them through some tough lessons on arithmetic and Queen Victoria.

The children also took part in Victorian pastimes such as Throw the Horseshoe, a coconut shy, a tin can alley, marbles and hoop the duck. They also watched a Punch and Judy show and listened to a Victorian barrel organ.

A Queen Victoria lookalike - Maureen Bellett - was also present to make it a truly authentic Victorian experience.

Co-ordinator Carol Atkinson said: "The children enjoyed themselves and got into the school classroom experience. A couple of children had to stand in the corner because they had got a question wrong but they all took it in good fun.

"We organiseed the event as a project to show local people that we are still here in the community for the community."

The Victorian Experience was the first of three celebration weekends planned by the church.

A three-day flower festival is planned for August 19 to 21, and a concert at Canon Slade School and a service led by the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Rev David Gillett, will be the highlights of the final weekend on October 29 and 30.