INQUISITIVE Port pupils have taken the plunge on a pioneering project to learn all about the River Clyde.

Youngsters from St Michael's Primary launched their topic by starting with a visit to the waterfront at Newark Castle.

They then went on a fact-finding mission around the town, ending at the Endeavour maritime sculpture.

The expeditionary learning initiative is being led by the children as they examine why the River Clyde is important to us.

Teacher Erin Deegan said: "This is a new initiative for Inverclyde and is being run over four weeks.

"We are looking at our history, of the shipyards, the Light House and Newark Castle.

"Heritage expert Paul Bristow was there to meet us at Newark Castle to read a story about the history of the town."

Ms Deegan says the project has helped the children see the Clyde in a new light, even though the river is on their doorstep.

She said: "The children had an absolute blast, they watched the boats sailing up and down and we talked about important shipbuilding had been, and they were asking questions about the lighthouse and why it was there."

The project will run over a period of four weeks and that the children are looking at inviting family members and the wider community into the school who worked in the shipyards to share their knowledge.

Ms Deegan said: "The passion comes from the people who worked there."

Once the project is completed the pupils will create a model based on the River Clyde.