CHILDREN from Blackawton Primary School got the chance to explore maritime archaeology and the shipwrecks of the First World War when they were joined by the Maritime Archaeology Trust for an exciting hands-on session.

The students learnt about what a maritime archaeologist is, what it takes to work under the water, and how this relates to the thousands of war-time shipwrecks around the coast of the UK.

They got the chance to try on dive kit, use mini underwater hoovers to uncover model ships, and try out a miniature excavation. The students were also able to handle real archaeological artefacts, from several thousand year old flint hand axes to objects from First World War wreck SS Lond­on­ier.

A team from the Maritime Archaeology Trust has been diving off Dartmouth and recording and surveying hulked vessels on the River Dart that were in use during the war.

They are hoping to return to the area in the future for more activity and have been in contact with local groups, including U3A, who are keen to get involved with the project, helping with historical research artefact recording.

Any other groups or individuals who might be interested in getting involved, or receive a talk/project update should visit http://forgottenwrecks.maritimearchaeologytrust.org/.