Schoolchildren studying design technology have learnt about the work of a cartoonist who became a byword for eccentric and complex contraptions.

Year 5 pupils from West Lodge Primary School, in West End Lane, Pinner, visited the Heath Robinson Gallery in Pinner Memorial Park.

William Heath Robinson was a cartoonist and illustrator best known for his pictures of elaborate imaginary machines, and lived in Paine's Lane, Pinner from the turn of the 20th Century to the Second World War.

Teacher Lucy Taylor said: “They found out about the life and work of Heath Robinson and in particular The Adventures of Uncle Lubin.

“Having sketched some of the characters, they will make shadow or string puppets and tell the story for themselves.”

West House and Heath Robinson Museum Trustee, Cliff Lichfield, was delighted to welcome the children. He said: “We hope many more schoolchildren will come to enjoy Heath Robinson.

“This gallery can show only a fraction of our collection, and we hope to open a new Heath Robinson Museum in late 2015.

“However we still need to raise £200,000 to build it, so we hope local people will give generously.”

Last month the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £1.13 million to The West House and Heath Robinson Museum Trust’s project to build an extension in Memorial Park to tell the story of Heath Robinson’s life, with a gallery and activity room for schools and children.

Those interested in donating to the cause can do so by going to https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/heathrobinsonmuseum