Excited youngsters from a Dorset school got an insight into the construction industry when they went behind the scenes at a new housing development.

The budding future housebuilders from Bearwood Primary & Nursery School were invited to the nearby Barratt Homes’ Canford Paddock development to find out just what it takes to build new homes.

The pupils were shown around the new development and were treated to a ‘digger display’ where they could view the site’s machinery in action.

Anthony Dimmick, Barratt Homes’ Community Liaison Officer said: “While we are building in the local area, we want to build relationships with the local community as well, and it’s great to be able to meet the ‘housebuilders of the future’.”

Judith Ramsay, early years teacher at Bearwood, accompanied the children to the site and said it was a valuable learning experience.

She added: “This was a great way to bring housebuilding to life for our pupils.

“They had the opportunity to see houses at different stages of development and were all very excited to be able to watch the machinery in operation.

“It’s these kinds of memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

“A massive thank you to Barratt Homes for letting us visit, it was a very positive and rewarding experience for us all.”

Barratt Homes also donated hi-vis bags to the visiting pupils, which can be used to ensure they stay safe during school trips or while walking to and from school in the dark winter months.

Canford Paddock is a collection of three bedroom homes in Canford sited just south of the River Stour.