IN New Orlesans the celebrations for Mardi Gras last weeks.

In Beaminster's Mountjoy School they might not have lasted so long but they were just as significant- and as colourful.

The children at the special school, which caters for children with a range of complex needs including autistic spectrum disorders and moderate to severe learning difficulties, took part in a host of fun activities which were planned to help the children learn about the traditions surrounding Mardi Gras - the food, the masks and the spectacular carnival parades.

The Mardi Gras celebrations started with the children making masks, followed by cake decorating to make extravagant ‘King Cakes’.

King Cakes are traditionally decorated in gold, purple and green and symbolise the three Kings bringing gifts to Jesus.

Teaching assistant, Davina Pennels said: “The children had great fun, their masks were beautiful and so imaginative, they all did fantastically well.”

The children were taught the history of Mardi Gras, how it began as a festival to bring on spring and good crops for the coming year and how it progressed to become more closely associated with Lent, where people feasted and celebrated before observing a period of fasting.

Probably the most famous Mardi Gras celebrations are held in New Orleans in the United States, where they last for two weeks. Every day there are spectacular carnival parades where on-lookers are showered with coins, stuffed animals and necklaces which are tossed from the parade floats.

The children at Mountjoy School made carnival floats from shoeboxes, decorating them with beads, glitter, masks and feathers. They were judged by two of the school governors, John Ryde and Gill Acton.

Head Teacher, Jackie Shanks said: “It’s great to understand and experience different traditions. My thanks go to John and Gill, our governors, who gave their time to judge the float competition and help the children celebrate and enjoy such a fun day and to all the staff for throwing themselves enthusiastically into the day's events.”