A TEACHER who works as a special constable at weekend, has helped pupils solve a mystery – after three-fingered handprints, slime and crystals were uncovered in their school grounds.

The detective work was part of an evidence-gathering exercise by children at Hob Moor Primary School, in Acomb, with the help of Year Five teacher Rachel Malster-Hinett.

Mrs Malster-Hinett who works for the police at weekends drew on her expertise to help pupils after receiving an urgent radio message asking the children to assist in collecting evidence from three crime scenes in the playground.

Debbie Cousins, head of Hob Moor School, said: “As part of the Federation of Hob Moor Oaks and Hob Moor Primary School’s creative curriculum we are trying to find inspiring ways to find motivate the children to write.”

Children from the partner class in the federation at Hob Moor Oaks School were also involved in helping with the project.

The children found there had been a possible alien landing.

However, the pupils concluded it had melted into the Earth’s atmosphere and decided there was no danger to residents.