YOUNGSTERS from Dallam Community Primary School were given VIP treatment after swapping their classroom for a housing site.

Muir Group Housing Association welcomed the pupils, from the school, on Boulting Avenue, to its Hawleys Lane site.

The land will be home to 16 homes after building work is completed by MCI Developments Ltd this spring.

The nine children, aged seven and under, who have special educational learning needs, visited as part of the 'houses and homes' topic they are studying.

It teaches them about a range of building skills and the different types of accommodation available across the country.

The children enjoyed a VIP tour of the site, which consists of two and three-bed homes, led by MCI Developments' workers and got to see their skills demonstrated first-hand.

"Muir was delighted to receive a visit from children at Dallam Primary," said Sarah Lawton-James, the association's assistant director of assets and growth.

"The development lies at the very heart of the community and we were pleased for MCI Developments to discuss its importance with the pupils, who were all very keen to learn.

"We very much enjoyed being able to assist with their understanding of housing and construction.

"We hope the children learned a lot from their visit and Muir looks forward to delivering the completed homes to the community in the very near future."

The kids also learned about the 'importance of providing affordable housing', while gaining a greater understanding of the materials used in construction.

They discussed why certain materials are preferred and gained insight into the various skills, such as brickwork and carpentry, that are involved in the building process, as well as on health and safety.

Teacher Ann Harrison accompanied the children during the visit.

She said: "The children had a great time – they have really enjoyed finding out more about what is going on in the area."

The development is benefiting from Homes and Communities Agency funding.