SCORES of youngsters from across the south were given a hearty send-off as they took part in a day combining the fun of lessons with the enchantment of Winchester Cathedral.

About 3,000 children from more than 25 church schools within the cathedral's diocese were out in force for their annual School Leavers' Day.

From June 24 to 26 the ten and 11-year-olds enjoyed a variety of different workshops including music, calligraphy, working with herbs, healing and gargoyle-making.

Each day every child participated in two workshops designed to allow pupils to convert the skills they have developed in the classroom into an appreciation of the significance of the cathedral.

They also took part in thanksgiving services which included half an hour of hymns.

According to senior organisers it is not just the focus the activities have on the cathedral that makes the event rewarding but the culmination of the collaborative skills shown by so may different people.

Cheryl Bryan, Director of Children's Education at Winchester Cathedral, said: "It's not just one person who is responsible for the annual School Leavers' Day.

"The event has been organised by a whole team of people who have all worked together".

Primary schools involved were:

St Lukes (Sway), Micheldever (Winchester), All Saints (Winchester), Barton Stacey (Winchester), Charles Kingsley (Hook), Chawton (Alton), Compton All Saints (Winchester), Bethany (Kent), Highfield (Southampton), Otterbourne (Winchester), Pennington (Lymington), Preston Candover (Basingstoke), Ropley (Alresford), Rownham's (Southampton), Selborne (Alton), Silchester (Reading), Sparsholt (Winchester), Kimpton (Andover), St Bedes (Winchester), St Francis (Chandler's Ford), St James (Emsworth), St Lukes (Winton), St Martins (Newbury), St Mary's Junior (Alton), Vernham Dean (Andover), Western (Winchester), West Tytherly (Wilts).