PROTECTING a convoy of caravans from raiders hiding in a forest is the sort of pastime you find most students participating in, but one group of pupils have got it down to a fine art.

And what's more, it wasn't even dangerous - because it was all pure fantasy!

For six students from Penwortham Girls High School have just won the regional heats of the Dungeon and Dragons competition - based on the role play game where participants have to complete a story after being given a scene and basic story line.

The students, ranging from year eight to year 10, now face the prospect of taking on the cream of the country's dungeons and dragons playing schools in a national final, which takes place in Loughborough in September.

According to the Cop Lane school's head of IT, Stuart Dobson, their regional victory was all down to his pupil's incredible imaginations.

He said: "The judges said it was down to their ability to turn the story and work well together which made sure they won it.

"They came up with an original solution to the story, which impressed the judges.

"There were 10 teams taking part and the judges sat through each story before marking it, and we won as a result. It was a surprise, but they deserved it."

But having said that, the girls probably had the best tutor going - Stuart has been a Dungeons and Dragons fan for nearly 20 years, passing on the bug to his pupils at the school.

He added: "We hold a Dungeons and Dragons club every Friday where we tell different stories.

"All they knew before they took part was basic plot, which was about the main characters protecting a convoy of caravans under attack as it progressed through a dangerous forest. They didn't pre-rehearse it or anything like that, but they did a fantastic job on the night."

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