A PUB will open its oven doors to teach school children the art of pulling pizza dough.

The Crown and Thistle in Abingdon is launching its new pizza oven with an educational twist, allowing schools to sign up for specialist after-school classes.

It may be an usual addition to the average curriculum, but the chain's CEO Peter Borg-Neal hoped there would be interest.

He said: "Our business is rooted in the concepts of family and community.

"Recently we took all our chefs to Naples, the home of pizza making, for an extensive course in the art of making the delicious thin crust dough that crisps up so beautifully and the range of sauces and ingredients they will be using."

Children will watch pizza chef Stefan Miulescu Dorin and Italian head chef Cristian Testai as they

whirl the dough around their heads in the traditional stretching method.

They will be able to make up their own pizzas choosing from their favourite ingredients.

The pub, originally a 17th century coaching inn, will welcome school children on April 4, 11 and 18 from 4pm onwards.

Its new wood-burning pizza oven launched on Friday March 18.

Any schools interested in taking part can email crownandthistle@oakmaninns.co.uk.