Foundation Phase pupils from Golden Grove School-Ysgol Gelli Aur in Pembroke took part a food safety challenge last week with a team from The Food Standards Agency in 'The Mystery At Dragon Castle'.

The pupils were enthralled by the comedic antics of two lively scientists Huw and Pugh who were on a quest to find out why people living in Dragon Castle were falling ill. With scenery and props set up in the school hall the 'scientists' played out their investigations in the reputedly haunted castle. The residents thought that ghosts were being mischievous by making a mess in the castle's kitchens and dinning room and making them ill. The hilarious journey of discovery in the castle was wonderfully played out by Huw and Pugh who are members of Edcoms, a company engaged by the FSA to deliver the educational performance.

Through a series of fast moving and funny sketches, the pupils were led by the scientists to think about answers to the problem of people getting sick.

In a workshop session which followed the journey of discovery, the pupils learned that the castle residents had in fact become ill due to poor food handling, personal hygiene and food storage.

Having identified what was wrong in the castle, the pupils then came up with ideas on how to prevent people from becoming ill.

The storage of raw meats and other foods in a fridge was highlighted, as well as basic hygiene rules to be followed when handling and preparing food.

Personal hygiene was stressed as one of the first steps to be observed, this was evident as the children prepared to have their lunch in the school with them telling their peers about hand washing!

Rob Kitson, of Edcoms, said: "The pupils were fully engaged in the drama and discovery being played out. By the end of the two hour session, they were able to understand the fours Cs, Cooking-Cleaning-Chilling and Cross Contamination."

The session was run as a part of the school's Healthy Living Programme.