VILLAGE schools near Devizes had a soup-er time when they took part in a national gardening campaign to showcase vegetables.

Youngsters from both Five Lanes Primary at Worton and Bishops Cannings joined in the Big Soup Share, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society/

At Five Lanes villagers visited the school at lunchtime on Wednesday to try the soup, made after pupils in Years 5 and 6 harvested their home grown vegetables.

They were joined by the Rev Ali Bridewell who helped children in Years 3 and 4 make bread rolls.

The vicar then planted and blessed an apple tree as a symbol to remember the Potterne site, which closed in the summer when the school amalgamated onto the Worton campus.

Teacher Jenny Jones said: “It was a lovely community get together and the school plans to hold other events in its allotment area, including an afternoon tea event in the summer.”

In Bishops Cannings the community was invited into the school on Saturday to sample its soup, which again was made from home grown ingredients.

Headteacher Catherine Vardy said: “This is now an important event in our school calendar and everyone gets involved.

“We were delighted to see so many of our friends and neighbours joining us for lunch and to be able to thank them in this way for their support throughout the year."

In addition to the soup the school also served blackberry and apple crumble, made by children in years 4 and 5 with locally picked or donated fruit.

The youngest pupils made bunting to decorate the hall.