PUPILS at Devizes School turned reporter to take part in a BBC project and bring alive stories from past and present.

They reported on stories from the time lions escaped from the circus on Devizes Green in 1980 and invaded the school to a live chat about a science festival that was happening at the school on the same days as the BBC School Report initiative.

Luckily some staff members including Karen Sims were pupils at the school when the lions went roaming and were able to give the inside story.

English teacher Becky Robinson led the school's contribution as pupils spent all day doing interviews and the library was turned into a new room.

Ms Robinson thanked everyone who helped make it a success and said: "Thanks to IT support who really helped the day to run smoothly and to the staff who were interviewed.

"The highlight of the day was receiving an email from Ali Vowles from BBC Bristol congratulating the students on their live interviews. I felt extremely proud listening to their responses and watching the excitement grow in the room. A huge well done to all of the students who worked really hard to make the day a huge success."

More than 30 teenagers from Year 8 conducted the interviews which included speaking to those who took part in the Mac's Theatre School production of Beauty And The Beast at half term.

Instead of taking part in ordinary lessons they were let loose with notebooks and microphones to hunt out the news. Among those who had to face questioning was headteacher Phil Bevan.

Pupils Libby, Rebecca and Matthew along with teacher Ms Robinson also took part in an interview with Ms Vowles over the phone.