Space crazy pupils got a chance to touch the moon when priceless lunar samples went on display at their school.

Rare samples of moon rock and lunar dust landed at the Harris Primary, Fulwood, as part of their Space Week project.

The samples were transported to the school under heavy security after being relased by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council.

Meteorites of different kinds were also on display and students were able to handle and study them.

Other activities included a musical workshop to compose space music, visiting the Spaceport exhibition in Wallasey, Merseyside and dressing up as aliens, astronauts and characters from Star Wars.

Headteacher, Amanda Gregory, dressed up as Captain Kirk while other staff took on the roles of other Star Trek characters.

She said: "The children really showed an appetite for learning about space and to have real moon rock here was something special. Our pupils have the opportunity to see actual moon rock up-close and hold objects from outer space. The dress up day was huge fun with little green men, astronauts and Star Wars characters roaming the corridors. One of the highlights of the week was the parent and child space evening where an interactive space lecture was presented by University of Central Lancashire astronomer, Dr Robert Walsh.

He said: "The mysteries of outer space fascinate people of all ages. To see and touch these extra-terrestrial objects brings this all the more to life."

The lunar samples were collected during NASA's manned space missions to the Moon in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Most of it is used by scientists, but a small proportion of the rock and soil to develop educational packages.