DOCTOR Who star David Tennant thrilled young fans when he popped in to a Port school for a surprise visit.

Luckily there were no signs of daleks as the Scottish actor — who played the Time Lord in the BBC One series — laughed and joked with children and staff at Craigmarloch additional support needs school.

The big-hearted star had pupils in fits of laughter as he read them the popular children’s book The Gruffalo.

David, who visited the school the day after winning a Scottish BAFTA award, then enjoyed meeting excited youngsters who were armed with plenty of questions for him.

The star told the Telegraph that the visit came about as his sister, Karen Clark, is a teacher at the school.

David joked: “I always do what my big sister tells me to.

“It’s great to visit this wonderful new school as I’ve always admired what my sister does.

“She’s always so passionate and motivated about the school so I’m very happy to do a little bit to encourage the pupils.

“It has been great to meet them as they are a very enthusiastic bunch.

“The school looks great.” Before setting off on a tour round the school, David posed for photographs with youngsters.

David’s sister Karen worked at Lilybank School for 20 years before it merged with Glenburn to form Craigmarloch.

She hopes his visit will have a big impact on her pupils.

Karen said: “It’s absolutely fabulous that David is visiting, as it draws attention to our fantastic new school that we want to show off.

“One of the things that has struck me is the role that Doctor Who plays in people’s lives and how obsessive people are with it, particularly some of the young people on the autistic spectrum.

“They know every single fact about the show.

“Doctor Who is such an inspiration to them.” Sixteen-year-old Caitlin Milloy, a fourth year pupil at Craigmarloch, said it was an honour to show David round the school.

She said: “It was so exciting to meet him.

“He’s so nice and he asked me how I got on during the work experience I’d done at a nursery.

“I also managed to get his autograph, which was great.” Head teacher Eileen Stewart was overjoyed to welcome David to the school.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted that David took the time out to come and see us.

“Not only do we appreciate this but we appreciate all the other things he’s done for the school, such as recording stories for us.

“He also sent a lovely message to one of our pupils who was leaving the school, as the boy is a huge Doctor Who fan.” David, who stars in ITV crime drama Broadchurch, was awarded the Best Television Actor award for The Escape Artist at the Scottish BAFTAS on Sunday.

He dedicated the gong to wife Georgia, daughter Olivia and son Tyler.