Children at Fullwood Primary School in Barkingside enjoyed a lesson about Ilford’s oldest inhabitant, Monty the mammoth.

The fossilised beast was discovered just over 150 years ago in Ilford, and its skull is one of the prized assets at the Natural History Museum.

Pupils entered a mammoth quiz to win the prize of a trip to the museum to see the private collection of bones found in Ilford.

They also heard the East Ilford Betterment Partnership’s five year campaign to install a replica mammoth skull in Ilford town centre.

Wilson Chowdhry, project manager for the “Bring Monty Home” campaign, said: “This ancient relic is one of the most fascinating yet unknown facts about the borough.

“Our borough has failed to recognise the potential to raise the profile of our small and much deprived town through embracing our earliest known resident.”

Chowdhry was challenged to bring Monty back to Ilford by his 10-year-old daughter Hannah, after she visited the Natural History Museum.

Danvir Visvanathan, headteacher of Fullwood School, said: “When I heard about this project to restore our lost heritage, I wanted our school to be involved.

“The installation of the mammoth skull will awaken an interest in history amongst local people and will be a great educational aid.”