Pupils from Garrick Green Infant School in Old Catton donned hard hats and hi-visibility vests and were given a lesson in housebuilding last week.

Thirty pupils went to David Wilson Homes' latest Norwich housing development in Orchard Place, set back from Downding Road in Old Catton, and were greeted by mascot 'Ivor Goodsite'. After a talk about site safety they were given a chance to lay a brick of their own.

David Eardley, managing director of David Wilson Homes Eastern, said 'We were delighted to be able to invite students from Garrick Green Infant School to Orchard Place to see a construction site in action.

'We hope that they took away an understanding of what is involved to build houses on such a grand scale.

'Furthermore, it's really important for young people to understand that safety on a building site is paramount and that they are not adventure playgrounds.

'The pupils were extremely well behaved and asked lots of sensible questions.'

Rebecca Dewing, headteacher at Garrick Green, added: 'The pupils really enjoyed their trip to Orchard Place, they especially enjoyed meeting Barry Barratt and laying their own brick.

'It was a terrific opportunity for them to see how a real construction site works and the different skills required to build a home. It was brilliant to have this opportunity and to be made so welcome.'