PUPILS at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School got "back to their roots" when the school staged an Ancestral Voices Day.

All the youngsters were off timetable and got an insight into their cultural and spiritual inheritance with the help of professional artists.

They were able to relive their Celtic traditions through constructing a 25ft tall Wicker Man and making giant puppets.

Pupils also listened to stories of the time, re-enacted Celtic drama and made Celtic shields and costumes with staff from Rheged's visitor centre at Penrith.

Others looked at Cumberland and Westmorland tradition by re-enacting local battles with the Red Wyvern Society.

They acted out Kirkby Stephen's history and some tried their hand at Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling.

There was also rug making, wickerwork, pottery, jewellery and woodcarving workshops and some pupils got a chance to look at folk traditions through clog dancing, folk singing, music and circus skills such as juggling, jesting and stilt walking.

The day culminated in a live evening performance for parents and family where the professional performers worked alongside the pupils to entertain with the talents learned during the day.

"It really was a very successful day," said head teacher Neil Hyatt.

"We were delighted with the way the participants had responded and they were equally pleased with how our students enjoyed the day and the evening event was a stunning performance by many, many people considering some had been at workshops for only a few hours."

The whole event followed on from last year's Multi Cultural Carnival when school pupils joined professionals to become Chinese dragons, African drummers and dancers, carnival puppets, circus jugglers, Aboriginal storytellers, Egyptian and Indian dancers and performers in Samba bands.