TIME Team stalwart and Blackadder favourite Tony Robinson dropped in on an Oxford school to open its new library.

The actor, television presenter and amateur historian, met about 300 pupils at Rye St Antony School, Headington, and their parents yesterday.

As well as opening the library, he gave a speech and answered questions from pupils, before signing items for pupils.

English teacher Nicole DeRushie said: “He was here to talk about reading and history, his own career and his own experiences at school.

“It’s been an incredibly positive experience for the girls, who were very much engaged by everything he was saying. He showed there wasn’t just one way to succeed in the world and everyone has to find their own path – but has to work very hard to be successfu, and that reading and education are so important to success in life.”

Mr Robinson was also promoting his new history books, Weird World of Wonders.

Miriam Stevens and Rosie Foale, 12, said: “He makes history come alive in my head. I love the illustrations.”

Orla Sanders, 11, said: “I had never heard of him but I looked at his books and I thought I would like them all.