Pupils from five Dorset schools were treated to a day of science, problem solving and sport at a special event in Weymouth.

Kicking off the day, scientists and crime fighters were tasked with solving a fiendish mystery straight from the casebook of Sherlock Holmes.

Organised and hosted at the Wey Valley School, year three pupils were invited to use their investigative skills in science and problem solving to narrow down a range of shifty suspects to eventually identify the 'Guinea Pig kidnapper.'

Jo Oxley, Dave Fitzsimons and Liz Newnham from the Wey Valley science team, devised and delivered the sessions to more than 200 pupils from St Nicholas & St Laurence, Radipole, Bincombe Valley, St John’s and St Andrew’s primary schools. 

Head of Science, Elizabeth Foulsham said: "Our technicians were superb. They designed and resourced the activities and the feedback from our local primary schools has been outstanding. The children loved the activities and the chance to meet our range of small animals."

After the Science mystery workshop, pupils received a tennis coaching session in the school’s indoor tennis centre with coaches Ryan Bissett and Matthew Eaton.

Tennis Liaison Officer, Ryan Matthews congratulated the year three pupils who all performed well with the racquets.

"The coaching sessions went really well and we have some future tennis stars in the making. We are so pleased to see so many youngsters trying out tennis," Mr Matthews said. 

He added a number of pupils had registered interest with the after school coaching programmes and holiday camps after the session. 

Mrs Wislockie from St Nicholas & St Laurence Primary School said: "It has been amazing and the children have really enjoyed both the science and the tennis. 

"The science teachers did a fantastic job keeping the children's attention for so long and putting together lots of fun activities and then seeing the animals."