THESE youngsters are certainly having an eggs-cellent time with the new additions to their school.

Pupils from St Bede’s CE Primary School have been joined by a brood of hens.

And not only do pupils and staff grow their own food — everything from courgettes to rhubarb — to harvest and eat, they now enjoy freshly laid eggs courtesy of three new additions to the Morris Green primary school.

Fearne, Daisy and Petal joined the school community on Friday after being rescued from a battery hen farm.

They have made their home on an allotment site, which the school acquired three years ago to grow fresh produce to cook up into delicious dishes.

The first eggs were laid on Monday and the staff and pupils were treated to scrambled eggs.

Abbie Colderley, aged 10, said: “We are all really excited about having chickens on the allotment.

“It will help us to learn how to look after other living creatures and be responsible for them.

“We can use the peelings and other scraps from the kitchen to feed them so there is less waste.

“And it helps us to know where food comes from.”

Kitchen manager Mary Parry came up with the idea for the allotment to encourage children to develop lifeskills including healthy eating and knowing where what they eat comes from. Deputy headteacher June Roberts said: “The eggs were delicious, very creamy.

“We were told because they had been battery hens they wouldn’t lay for a week, but they have started laying eggs already.”

Children are helping look after chickens, feeding them as well taking it turns to put them to bed at night and ensuring their coop is locked and protected from any foxes.

Ms Parry said: “This is another interest and the children are buzzing.

“The children enjoy going to the allotment and growing food. We have just bought a greenhouse through a grant so this year it will be all go on the allotment.”