A SCHOOL project aimed at enhancing children's writing skills proved "out of this world".

For a baffling series of UFOs which were sighted at St Mary's RC Primary School in Belgrave Street, Radcliffe, certainly attracted their attention.

It resulted in pupils visiting the scene and taking notes with a view to having their findings published in the Radcliffe Times.

The youngsters, who were told that the objects had probably come from the planet Hirth, were able to interview two "NASA agents" as part of their investigative work.

The project, which had been organised by teachers Katy Dunne and Michelle Dent, was used as an interesting and effective method of improving the writing skills of the youngsters.

Mrs Dunne told the youngsters that the mysterious objects had probably come from another planet in an attempt to make contact with Earth.

"There was a wardrobe put in the school grounds and other objects included a microwave, ladders and a bin put on the school roof," she said. "We told the children they had to write a report to send to the local newspaper. A total of 67 pupils took part in the project.

"It was a wonderful adventure for them and the kids were so excited by this. The wardrobe was appropriate as we've been doing The Chronicles of Narnia. The children were told that the objects had later left the school and had gone down south."

To coincide with each incident involving the unexplained landing of household goods at St Mary's, the eagle-eyed children visited each scene with pens and paper before writing their individual accounts once back in the classroom.