MINI musketeers rattled a few sabres as they tried out a new activity — but it was all in the name of good old-fashioned sportsmanship.

Daring youngsters were thrilled to try out fencing at a class run in Gourock Primary School this week.

Children from primary four right up to primary seven donned masks and used their best moves during a taster session, and the sport proved a big hit with children and staff alike.

Afterwards, Honor McGeehan, eight, said: “I would love to take it up as a sport.” Classmate Scott Lawrie added: “It was great fun. I especially liked the mask and sword.” The classes for the eight to 12-year-olds were arranged through Inverclyde Council’s Active Schools Team. Depute head teacher Moira McKay said: “It gives the children an opportunity to try a new sport — we’ve never had fencing in the school before.

“It was unusual to see all the equipment out in the hall instead of hockey sticks and nets, and how huge the masks were for the pupils to wear.” Mrs McKay was swift to praise the standard of coaching from Fencing Scotland.

She said: “The children I spoke to were well informed which shows that the coaching was really good.” A total of six primary schools are involved in the fencing project.

It’s hoped that pupils will get the chance to attend the Commonwealth Fencing Championships at the National Sports Training Centre in Largs in November.

See today's Tele for full pictures.