Hundreds of year six pupils took part in a gothic-themed day at Workington Academy.

The school's English department organised the event to promote reading and literacy and to give youngsters a taste of the academy.

Pupils from Ashfield Junior School, Beckstone Primary School, Northside Primary School, St Mary's Primary School, St Gregory's Primary School, Westfield Primary School and Victoria Junior School took part.

They were put into five groups and took part in drama sessions throughout the day.

Activities were themed on the poem The Highwayman, designing gothic creatures, descriptive writing with Mrs Lovett from Sweeney Todd and writing an ending to an Addams Family-themed drama performance.

Rose O'Hagan, director of English, said: "We thought it was a more challenging theme and appropriate given its autumn and topical with Halloween coming up.

"We want to show that gothic is not just about Dracula and Frankenstein and there are comical elements.

"We always have fun. We look at producing things that are original."

Characters in the workshops were played by English teachers, sixth form students and librarian Helen Taylor.

The English department will send prizes to the pupils who have written the best Addams Family scene endings.