TEACHERS and pupils from Whitchurch Primary School enjoyed a day out at the Eden Project in celebration of the completion of a stone carrying project involving eight West Devon schools.

The pupils celebrated at the Bugs Hotel, which had been built by staff at Eden from stones carried by the schools involved, together with a stone donated by Prince Charles and a Zimbabwe replica soap-stone bird from Zimbabwe.

Medieval group Daughters of Elvin led the day, inspiring the children to create some fantastical masks.

The pupils also learned some authentic Elizabethan dances and took part in a procession wearing their masks.

Following on from this successful stone carrying project, Tavistock-based community group, Houses of Stone, are preparing for an even more ambitious event for spring next year.

The group is planning this time to include 24 schools. The project will include art, music, dancing and environmental issues.

Central to the project are the intentions the children create for their stones. These  represent the environmental-based wishes the children have for the future of the planet.

Daughters of Elvin will be instrumental in planning and carrying forward the project across Dartmoor, linking primary schools and communities in stone carrying activities.

Caroline Keane, artist and former mayor of Tavistock, said: It is exciting that this pilot project, supported by local and national funders, paves the way for a further environmental and cultural awareness programme to support environmental awareness, linking our Dartmoor communities.

For more information, visit website http://www.stonecarrier.com">www.stonecarrier.com