CHEMISTRY and Science students from Crewe went underground to unearth a fountain of knowledge at a Derbyshire mine.

The South Cheshire College group spent a day at Ecton Hill collecting various samples to study in more depth back in the science laboratory.

Ecton Ecton Hill, near Hartington in the Derbyshire Peak District, is a historic mining area of the UK and is now a valuable educational resource.

The whole area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and provides outstanding opportunities for the study of minerals and geological structure.

Neil Hewitt, Chemistry Lecturer at South Cheshire College, said: “The students thoroughly enjoyed the Ecton Hill experience which was a fantastic opportunity for them to take their chemistry skills out of the college laboratory and use them in the field.

“Seeing and using their chemistry in context has given them a taste of chemistry in action and in the workplace.

“They then analysed the samples back at the field centre with great success, using the knowledge gained from their college courses.”