Billy Branston's Amazing Potato Factory

Branston's mobile classroom was launched in September 2014

Branston’s mobile classroom welcomed its 20,000th child on board this week, giving children a taste of how potatoes are grown and processed.

The educational initiative Billy Branston’s Amazing Potato Factory reached the milestone as pupils at the Wild Bank Community School in Stalybridge, Cheshire boarded the double-decker bus for activities in food sourcing and healthy eating.

The project has seen a double decker bus converted into a fully functioning mobile classroom touring primary schools across the country.

Activities on board the bus are tailored to fit with the Key Stage One and Two frameworks, with nutrition and healthy eating also playing an important role.

Jenny Callahan, deputy head teacher at Wild Bank Community School, said: “Feedback about the visit from staff and pupils has been amazing and it's great that it has come at this time of year so we can link it back to Harvest.”

James Truscott, Branston’s managing director, said: “When we first launched the initiative back in September 2014, our main hope was that we could communicate to schoolchildren nationwide about where their food comes from and the importance of potatoes in contributing to a healthy and balanced diet.

“Two years on from the launch we have welcomed our 20,000th child on board and we are delighted by the response we have had from both schools across the country and their pupils. We have seen the bus travel the full length and breadth of the country, from Aberdeen to Truro.”