Pupils have welcomed a new arrival to their school.

Three eight-week old chickens have been delivered to Venerable Edward Morgan Catholic Primary School, in Shotton, by Hedgerow Henporium.

The pupils of the Dosbarth Maple class have been preparing for the arrival of the chicks for a while, and helped to build the chicken coop.

A group has also been chosen to help the birds settle in, called the Helper Hens, who will take control of the feeding, watering and clearing of the chickens and then pass on their knowledge when they are introduced to the other classes.

Matthew McIntyre, teacher, said: “The children have been so excited, the arrival of the chickens has been a great motivator and it’s been so hard to pick pupils for the Helper Hens group as everyone wanted to do it.

“The chickens will be a great addition to the school and there is so much learning we can do around them, from counting eggs, designing packaging for egg boxes to planning budgets and profit margins for buying food and selling the eggs.

“Plus, it gives pupils a chance to relax and watch the chickens up close.”

A competition will be held to choose the best name for the newest additions and the teacher said the staff at the school are already talking about increasing the flock.

He added: “The school has been very lucky to have Julie from Hedgerow Henporium deliver the chickens and teach the Helper Hens all they need to know about how they should feed and look after them.

“She has also recommended young hens, so they grow up getting used to the children and so will be more friendly and easier to handle.”