CHILDREN at a local school travelled into space and back in time thanks to a virtual expedition programme.

Pupils from St Richard's First School in Evesham took part in Google's Expeditions Programme which has been rolled out across the country.

As part of the day on Monday (January 16), year two pupils went to Antarctica, year four pupils went back in time to see the Romans and year five visited the international space station and the moon.

Victoria Golby, phase leader for year four and five said: "It was a really successful programme and it was like the pupils were experiencing everything first hand.

"The children were really excited about what they were doing which really helps and we would definitely do this again."

Google Expeditions is a free programme which provides virtual reality equipment to schools so that students can go on virtual school trips.

An expeditions coordinator and a box arrives with a tablet for the teacher and cardboard viewers and phones for every student.

The teacher then selects a destination which the whole class then jumps to.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, space and accessiblity scientist said: "With the range of Expeditions tours available I think that kids will not just be inspired to consider a vast range of careers but will also be able to reach for the stars themselves. I wish this was around when I was young."

Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google, said: "Virtual reality can spark students' imagination and help them learn about topics like how blood flows through the human body or the impact climate change is having on the Great Barrier Reef, in an engaging and immersive way.

"We've already received feedback from thousands of teachers in the UK and they believe that Expeditions can improve literacy and writing skills, and help create excitement to complement traditional teaching methods."