CHRISTOPHER Boothe's knowledge of the human body won him and his classmates a free trip back in time.

The eight-year-old, his 23 classmates and teacher Rachel Madsen enjoyed an all-expenses-paid trip to Beamish Museum, near Stanley, which recreates life in the early part of the 20th Century.

They had rides on the trams, trolley bus and fairground carousels, and visited the sweet shop and the farm.

The youngsters, from Biddick Primary School, Washington, went on the trip after Christopher won a competition run by Sunderland School Meals.

Each day, youngsters aged four to 11 answered a different question on various parts of the body and Christopher, of Glebe, finished top.

The competition, called Body Clock, which was open to 96 infants and primary schools in the Sunderland area, was organised to educate youngsters on the advantages of a sensible, nutritious diet, regular exercise and how they can develop a healthy mind and body.

Julie Gray, the meals service's head of facilities management, whose marketing team organised the competition and the trip, said: "The competition was designed to encourage children to think about their own body and what makes it tick - hence the body clock theme.

"I am delighted that Christopher and his classmates had such a wonderful time at Beamish and know that they are looking forward to the next series of competitions when term begins again in September.''