Pupils of Helston's Nansloe Academy took a trip back to the Bronze Age when they were given the rare opportunity to view archaeological findings uncovered in a field next to their school.

The children were able to explore the remains of what are believed to be two Bronze Age roundhouses and two Iron Age stone burial cists - a small, stone-built coffin or chamber.

Pupils were also encouraged to handle artefacts found on the site, including pottery that could be pieced together, a spearhead and pieces of flint used as tools.

A team from specialist company Cotswold Archaeology surveyed the site to the south of Bulwark Road ahead of construction work on 75 affordable homes for social landlord Coastline Housing. Their excavations found more features along the boundary with Nansloe Academy than were expected from initial investigations. The archaeologists then extended and expanded trenches to fully expose these features.

Charles Field, headteacher of Nansloe Academy, said: "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our children to stand inside what may very well be the oldest dwelling in Helston - something I am sure they will remember for years to come."

Amy Jenkin, development manager at Coastline Housing, said: “It was wonderful to see the pupils’ reactions as they saw how people lived around 4,000 years ago. It will no doubt help to bring the history of the area alive for them, although a dinosaur fossil would have been even more exciting according to some budding palaeontologists!”

The stone cists and recorded artefacts will be displayed in Helston Museum at a later date.