CHILDREN enjoyed a day clowning around as an end of half-term treat.

Pupils at St James Primary School in Daisy Hill played host to the Splats circus troupe who spent two days entertaining the youngsters and teaching them tricks.

The London-based performers spent a day with the juniors and the following day with the infants, teaching them how to spin plates, play tricks with scarves and walk on stilts.

The pupils were so thrilled with their new skills that they rushed to buy stilts and plates at the end of the fun-filled sessions. Administrator at the Hindley Road school, Mary Holowaty, said: "The children really enjoyed themselves because they had such a chance to join in.

"They all rushed to queue up at the end to buy the circus goods, so they must have had a great time!"