Solving the mystery of an alien invasion was the task of students at a Dartford school this week.

Pupils gathered in the assembly hall at Dartford Science and Technology College to dissect the news that a UFO had crashed landed in the grounds and an alien life-form was on the loose among the corridors.

An initial investigation had narrowed it down to six suspects among staff in the school’s science department.

Students were then tasked with carrying out experiments and using their detective skills to determine the creature’s identity.

English teacher and school PR co-ordinator Bronagh McPartland said: “This week was the yearly-acclaimed Alien Science Week and has included a wide range of fun experiments.

“Students took to the tasks like fish to water and all of the science department have been dressing up like aliens to get into the supernatural spirit of this especially entertaining week.”

Earlier this month, children in Years 7 and 8 also visited the Big Bang Exhibition at Sevenoaks School, one of the biggest science fairs in the UK to be hosted in a school.

At the time the Messenger went to press, the alien’s identity was yet to be revealed.