Yes, but can this Ziggy play guitar?

Pupils at St Nicolas and St Mary First and Middle School, in Eastern Avenue, Shoreham, first thought fly-tippers had dumped the rubbish.

An investigation was launched, headed by reception, year-one and year-two pupils, who put their detective skills to the test.

The children discovered the charred remains of a letter, written by Ziggy the robot, who had crash-landed from the planet Robon and needed help.

They also found a key and a locked cabinet, in which there were some pictures of robots, which inspired the youngsters to write some letters to Ziggy.

Year-two pupils even left out screwdrivers for the robot, in the hope he might be able to mend himself.

Returning to school the following morning, children and parents found Ziggy had fixed himself and was proudly standing in one piece.

Not wanting him to get lonely, the children set about building three-dimensional robots of their own, along with some robot dogs, to keep Ziggy company.

Reception teacher Marion Harding said: "Ziggy has really kick-started the term. The children have been inspired by the project and are now highly motivated to learn after the holidays."

Year-one teacher Andrew Lincoln echoed her praise for the project.

"We have had such fun making robots and writing about them," he said. "It has been a really exciting start to the term."

David Etherton, head teacher at the school, added the project had been a great success for both staff and pupils alike.

"It is such a pleasure to see the children so excited about coming to school," he said.

"They have been enthralled by the robot and this has had a real impact on the quality of work in the classroom."

Mr Etherton added: "I am not sure who has had the more fun '“ the teachers or the children."