MONTY Python star Michael Palin told children at a Queen's Crescent school that when he was young, he loved any opportunity to get outside. That was one of the reasons he was so keen to help launch their edible playground this week. 

The actor, who lives in Gospel Oak, cut the ribbon today (Tuesday) at Carlton Primary School, after helping to rase funds for the open space, full of herbs and plants.

Celebrations were in full swing in Grafton Road, as the children sang songs and performed a special caterpillar dance to mark the launch. The garden will be used to teach children about where food comes from, life cycles and provide a contrast to their urban surroundings.

Nesredin, 6, Aakifah, 5, Daniel, 6 and Jake 6, dress up as caterpillars for the garden launch 

Mr Palin said: “This school is very special because there are children from all over the world here. It is a multi-ethnic school and I'm sure there will be lots of different kinds of dishes cooked here, lots of different flavours. I think this is a perfect match for Carlton School.”

The food-loving actor, who admitted he is partial to “anything smoked,” was not afraid to get his hands dirty as he joined the youngsters in planting some basil in the new garden, which was created by Trees for Cities.  

He added: “The food processing industry has become so sophisticated that you could forgive children for thinking that food grows ready wrapped and harvested in supermarkets. But the children here at Carlton School now have the chance to not only eat, but to grow they own food, which is a tremendous way to learn the value of food and how good eating and good health go together. Not to mention the chance of being a finalist in Masterchef one day if you get it right.”