THE history of the world was explored in just one day by youngsters who stepped back in time to the Big Bang.

Heathfield Primary School, in Daubhill, was transformed into a modern-day time machine for pupils, who were taken back to where it all began, before moving through the different eras.

They travelled through the Stone Age, then Roman times, stopping off to see how the Egyptians, Tudors and Victorians lived, before having fun in the 1960s.

And the young archaeologists created a timeline on toilet roll based on their findings.

Bolton Library and Museum helped stage the event led by the school’s history co-ordinator Louise Holland.

Children in Years Four to Six were invited on the trip and broke off into groups to explore a particular era — before telling the rest of the group why their era was the most important and how it still impacts on life today.

Miss Holland said: “We have a creative curriculum and this activity made it exciting and engaging for the children. It was a great way to start the year with the different year groups work together.

“My favourite part of the day was seeing the awe and wonder on the children’s faces as they explored different part of history through using different media, the internet and books.

“I never thought we could cover the history of the world in one day — it took a long time to organise but it was worth it.

“History is quite popular now — there was a real buzz around school.”

Ellie Torkington, aged 10, said: “The best part was when we got to have a look at the objects from the different periods of history.

“I learned a lot about the Romans, Stone Age, Egyptians, Greeks, Vikings, Tudors and the 1960s. It made me think what we will be remembered for.

“The Greeks came up with language and writing, the Victorians introduced children to school and the 1960s were just phenomenal.”

Bradley Owens, aged 10, said: “The people of the Stone Age were the most important because they were the first and most creative — they couldn’t steal ideas from anyone else.”