Ex miner Jim Davies shared his pit experiences with children from Hornbeam Primary School during their exclusive trip to Kent Mining Museum which is yet to open.

Year 4 pupils were invited to the site at Betteshanger Country Park as part of their coal mining studies.

They have been learning about the life of miners and the importance of the coal mining industry in east Kent, where the Kent Coalfield was formed.

In addition to sketching and writing activities that gave the children an opportunity to practice and develop some of the key skills they have been learning at school, they heard stories from Mr Davies and asked him questions. They also explored the genuine mining artefacts he had with him.

During the discussion the pupils learnt a lot about the working life of a miner, from technical vocabulary and techniques, to how food was stored underground. Miners had to wash each other’s backs and check for bluish scars left by coal.

The children also explored the impact the industry had on women and children.

One child asked why the country imports 53 million tons of coal per year when there is still an abundant supply underground in the UK, left unused and abandoned with the machinery. This led to interesting debates on whether coal mining may be resumed locally, discussing what skills they would need to be miners themselves.

Sarah Frampton school spokesman said: “One of the qualities the children found miners had was teamwork and a sense of community and camaraderie. The pupils were encouraged to work in teams themselves to create tunnels from sticks, rope and tarpaulins.”

They constructed tunnels and had to pass through them as a whole team before a rescue mission to safely retrieve the class first-aid box.

Ms Frampton added: “Every activity was a success, leading to a lot of learning and inspiration for in-class projects.

“Year 4 thoroughly enjoyed their trip, and Hornbeam is looking forward to working closely with the museum in its development as a centre for educating local children about a rich part of Kent’s cultural history.”

The mining museum is due to open in late spring 2017.