VISITORS to Sharples School could have been forgiven for thinking they had stumbled into a scene from Danny Boyle's hit movie 28 Days Later.

For the school found itself overrun with young zombies.

But they had nothing to fear, for it was day one of the summer school which threw open its gates this week.

Sharples School has been running a summer school for those starting in year seven to help the transition from primary school to high school in which they are introduced to the different subjects they will have on their timetable.

And this year there was plenty of drama on the opening day when youngsters experienced the dramatic arts and experience first hand the special effects used to bring the subject alive with the help of Artz Centre in Skelmersdale which was drafted in to transform the children into zombies.

Caroline Molyneux, assistant head, said: "The youngsters were going home with 'bruises' telling their parents they had fallen over or were zombies.

"They really enjoyed it. Teachers and the Artz Centre helped them with the special drama make-up.

"It was another way of introducing them to drama, because on the first day they may be too shy to perform, so we show them all the other aspects of drama such as the the make-up, building sets and the lighting."

This is the fourth year the school has held a summer school and numbers have grown every year, with 90 attending this year.

Miss Molyneux, who is also head of science at the school, said: "The summer school which runs for a week is to help year seven pupils feel more settled before they start school.

"They make new friends and have fun at the same time."

She added: "We tie it in with the different subjects they will take.

"When they first attend they are quiet and shy and they are soon making friends, getting to know there way around school and most of all having fun."