Children at Chippenham’s Redland Nursery spent the day with an interactive robot programmed to walk, talk and dance.

The robot, nicknamed Robbie, is one of a pair of robots used in the IT department at Wiltshire College to train students in robotics and programming.

College student Helen Newman organised the visit, when Robbie read the children a story and played a matching game with them.

Helen, who is studying a foundation degree in early years and care, said: “The great thing is that children are fearless with technology, they will push buttons and click icons just to see what happens.

“By giving them resources such as computers, digital cameras, telephones, and programmable toys to use and take into their imaginative play, we support their learning in this area.”

Nursery manager Tracey Major said Robbie had been a huge hit with the children.

She said: “ICT is playing an increasing part in a child’s development and it is great to see our children interact with the robot and have fun.”