NURSERY school pupils in Cleethorpes discovered a "cracking" surprise waiting for them in the classroom after ten adorable baby chicks hatched overnight.
Youngsters at Queen Mary Nursery, in Queen Mary Avenue, had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the baby chicks since 12 eggs were delivered on Monday.
And when the pupils arrived at school yesterday morning, ten of the eggs had hatched and another one was attempting to break free from its shell.
Andrea Fox, nursery leader, said: "The children are absolutely fascinated by the chicks.
"They've been peering through the window all day and can't wait until they can hold them.
"Watching the eggs in the incubator and then seeing them hatch is a great way for the children to learn about life cycles.
"It really enriches their lives because not everybody has the opportunity to see baby animals being born at home.
"They love having first-hand experience of new animals being born."
Miss Fox employed the services of a company called Living Eggs, which delivered 12 eggs to the nursery in an incubator on Monday morning.
The children will now rear the chicks until next Friday when the company will collect them.
Once they are strong enough to move out of the incubator, they will be placed in a special box to give them room to grow.
Among the 125 three and four-year-old pupils at the nursery who were eager to meet the chicks were classmates Jamie-Lee Stokes and Tyler Capes.
Jamie-Lee, four, of Cleethorpes, said: "Earlier in the week we were holding the eggs and you could feel the chicks moving inside.
"The eggs were really warm, too.
"The baby chicks are so cute.
"I've got a dog at home but I've never seen a baby chick before."
Tyler, four, from Cleethorpes, added: "We've been watching the eggs since Monday to see when they would hatch.
"The chicks are so soft. They're amazing.
"I haven't seen baby chicks before, but I have been to the farm and seen lambs."
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