HUNDREDS of school children put their grey matter to the test in a three-day puzzle challenge extravaganza.

A total of 270 youngsters from 16 schools across Weymouth and Portland took part in the experience, including all the borough secondary schools.

Puzzlers, aged from six to 14, descended on Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre for the problem solving events organised by Weymouth and Portland extended services co-ordinators.

Each day challenged a different age group of children and young people from across the Chesil Education Partnership to participate in a range of problem solving activities.

Working in teams, often with people from different schools, they tackled physical as well as logical tasks including crawling through underground tunnels to retrieve clues to help them solve a mystery.

The puzzles were provided by The Happy Puzzle Company, while WOEC created a crime investigation for the students. Parents were also invited to attend an after-school Happy Puzzle Company session with their children, giving the youngsters the chance to challenge their parents to complete some of the puzzles they had mastered during the day.

The youngest age group also had the chance to try out Taekwondo as part of their activities.

Karen Griffiths, county council extended services pyramid co-ordinator, said: “The event was a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by all those who took part.

“The feedback we had was that children returned to school ‘enthused’ by what they had experienced, Royal Manor students commented that they learned to co-operate, communicate and be good team members. They also appreciated the opportunity to work with students from other schools.

“One parent thought it was fantastic and well organized and asked: ‘Can there be more?’ “Extended Services would like to thank all the children who took part for their enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in.

“It was fantastic to see the obvious enjoyment on their faces and hear the excited chatter as they all compared what they had been up to throughout the day with their friends.

“Who would have thought that learning could be so much fun?”

She added: “All the staff at WOEC were amazing, they created this whole elaborate story that required groups to complete a range of physical tasks, working in teams, earning clues and solving problems.

“Many school staff who joined us for the day had no idea that the outdoor education centre could offer this kind of activity - so that was another brilliant outcome for the day, being able to showcase a different side of WOEC.”