SCHOOLCHILDREN set to work pulling up hundreds of spuds from an Oxford allotment yesterday — enough for weeks of mash for school dinners.

Pupils from Pegasus Primary School in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys, including courtney Rimes, six, centre, planted four varieties of potato in June and waited for them to grow.

For yesterday’s harvest they were joined by volunteers from accountants Grant Thornton, Oxford City Council’s street wardens and the Royal Oxford Horticultural Society at the Sorrell Road allotments.

Receptionist Sam Thorne, who helped organise the big dig, said: “We planted about four varieties and the children will probably make them into soup to sell in the school cafe or use them for school dinners.

“I think they feel really proud about the fact they have seen them grow, watered them and looked after them and they can now use them. I think it makes them appreciate where food comes from.”