MENSTON Primary School year 5 and 6 students had a day to remember as local alternative rapper Wilko Wilkes, 34, visited for a full day of rap workshops.

The sessions were arranged after headteacher Marie Wilson saw Wilko Wilkes playing live at Menston's Platinum Jubilee celebrations and got in touch after finding out he has been running workshops at schools around the region, including at Westville House in Ilkley. The children learned about the benefits of creativity and gained useful tips as well as seeing Wilko in action, followed by writing their own rap verses before stepping up to the mic to perform their work. The sessions were based around key values of inclusivity and supporting each other, as well as imagination and free thinking.

Wilko Wilkes, real name Paul Wilkes, went to Menston Primary School himself, leaving in 1998, and was delighted to have the chance to inspire the next generation. He said: "I had an amazing day and got loads of great feedback from parents and kids alike. I even ended up signing about 70 autographs once one lad asked and the floodgates opened! They were a great bunch and the work that the students created was excellent, there are some really talented writers who I'll be looking out for in the future!"