CHEEKY chimney sweeps, sweet street urchins and pretty pickpockets all arrived at a school in Folkestone this week.

Infants at St Mary's Primary School in Warren Road could have been forgiven for being a little confused when they were encouraged by their parents and teachers to have grubby faces and don flat caps and bonnets and take chimney brushes with them to class.

The unusual non-uniform day was organised to teach the children about the olden days and both the highs and lows of Victorian life.

The youngsters learnt about the unpalatable daily diet, horrendous working conditions, the use slate and ink pens, the cane and told how fortunate they should now feel as teachers were particularly strict in the late 18th century.

The historical step back in time is now an annual event.