Ransacking pirates raided a West Cumbrian school as they attempted to escape the Queen.

Pupils from St James' CE Infants School, Whitehaven, turned up at their school to find classrooms and library 'trashed'.

The event was part of a creative writing week which saw the children make 'Wanted' posters or write newspaper reports on the the gang of escaping pirates led by Dirty George O'Fish.

Michael Craig, head teacher at St James' School, said: "When the pupils came into the school on Monday, they found a note from the pirates saying they were on the run from the Queen."

Throughout the week, classes from the school then visited The Rum Story visitor attraction in Whitehaven where they learned about John Paul Jones, the American naval commander who attacked the town in 1778 during the war of independence.

Each class found a part of missing map which they brought back to school and pieced together in order to find the missing treasure chest – which was filled with chocolate gold coins.

Mr Craig said: "The children found it very excited, even some of the staff dressed as pirates all week!"

An open evening for parents, whose children will be starting St James' CE Infants School in September 2018, will be held on Tuesday, October 17 at 5.30pm.