YOUNGSTERS learning about castles were so excited to hear that I'm a Celebrity would be coming to North Wales this year they decided to take part in their own trials.

Year Three pupils at Southdown Primary School took on their own trails and challenges inspired by the show as part of their latest topic learning about Welsh castles.

Teacher John Andrews told the Leader how the children have enjoyed the rare opportunity that the ITV reality show is set in a Welsh castle at the same time they're learning about them.

"Our topic for this term has been Knights, Castles and Cymru so we've been looking at the history of local castles here in Wales. It was just very fortunate timing that I'm a Celebrity was being filmed here in a North Wales castle at the time.

"At the start of every term, we as teachers don't just plan a load of activities, we like to get the kids involved with the process as it will mean they're going to be more engaged in the subject."

Mr Andrews says his class were "so excited" when the news was confirmed that the show would relocate from sunny New South Wales in Australia to the colder climate of North Wales not too far away in Gwrych Castle in Abergele.

He told the Leader: "We've been designing our own castles using Minecraft and we've also looked at the history behind the castles here in North Wales and the interesting myths and legends that surround them."

The children desperately wanted to visit a castle but, due to the coronavirus restrictions in place, that was not something that could happen.

However, Mr Andrews said that "if we can't go to a castle, we thought we'd bring Gwrych Castle to us!"

Children got stuck into their own fun versions of disgusting challenges that celebrities like Vernon Kay, Jessica Plummer and Jordan North have faced in the Welsh castle.

Pupils had to write about their 'trial experiences' - from freshly prepared eating challenges by teaching assistant Anna Humphreys to physical and mental tests.

The children have also spoken to schools that are a lot closer to the castle in Abergele - namely Ysgol Sant Elfod - who have written letters to hosts Ant and Dec and got some tips from Southdown pupils ahead of their own "I'm a Celebrity" themed challenge day.