SCHOOLCHILDREN were in chocolate heaven - and for some it was double delight as they won a ticket to ride on a special train.

Peebles-Based Cocoa Black produced 25,000 chocolate bars to give away to every pupil at the 72 primary and secondary schools across the region to mark the new Borders Railway.

And in a nod to Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at each school one of the delicious treats contained a golden ticket, entitling the recipient to travel on a Stow-Edinburgh return journey on September 5.

Scottish Borders Council supported by ScotRail commissioned award-winning chocolatiers Cocoa Black to supply the commemorative chocolate bars.

Cocoa Black founders Ruth Hinks and her husband David attended a special assembly in Kingsland Primary School, Peebles to watch the distribution of their carefully-crafted treats.

Many of the 409 pupils had dressed as Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket, the two best-known characters from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The eager youngsters sang songs, took part in a quiz, questioned two ScotRail conductors about their work and learned about the skills of the chocolatier from Mrs Hinks.

The highlight of the day followed as the school’s former headteacher Jacqueline Wilson announced the distribution of the chocolate bars.

With the sweet treats in their safe hands, several minutes of excitement followed as the children searched to see which one of them was the lucky winner of the historic train ride.

It was little Sam Lees who gleefully held up the golden ticket that was contained within the chocolate packaging.

The six-year-old was overwhelmed by her success and keen to get home to tell mum and dad Yvonne and Jaz, who both work at Peebles Golf Club.

“I’ve been on a train to my nana’s before but I am very happy that I will be going on this journey,” she said.

Mrs Hinks’ own children Aiden, eight, and seven-year-old Delphine were among the pupils and the chocolatier admitted she was relieved that they had not won the ticket. “It might have been a bit awkward if one of my two had won the prize - I might have been asked a few questions,” she joked.

She revealed that she had spent the entire summer holidays producing the chocolate bars.

“It was a lot of work and it’s not easy getting up at 5am but I love it so much it doesn’t feel like work. I’m just delighted that it’s all turned out so well,” she said.

“The biggest problem I have found through the summer was ensuring that Aiden and Delphine did not get their hands on the chocolate.” Her husband added: “This has been a great way for the kids to get engaged with the new railway.” Kingsland has welcomed a new headteacher on Monday, Alan Vannan, from Lauder, and he was happy to leave former head Mrs Wilson to run the show as she was more familiar with the pupils.

“The children have been so excited about this and I was delighted to be able to be here today,” said Mrs Wilson who is on secondment and plans to return as the school’s head in two years’ time.

“The children have all entered into the spirit of things and the chocolate bar is a great keepsake for them.” Earlier, addressing the children she said: “I only left on Friday and I didn’t think I would be coming back so soon. This is almost like a big party celebrating the return of the railway to the Borders.

“All the schools are putting on an assembly like this but ours is a bit different because we’ve got Mr and Mrs Hinks who made the chocolate bars for you.” Tracey Logan, SBC’s chief executive, said: “We have to thank our partners for helping to make this possible and ensuring a pupil from every school has the chance to be on board for the big day, an occasion I am sure they will be able to look back on with pride for the rest of their lives.” St Ronan’s School in Innerleithen also held its Golden Ticket Assembly on the same day to find out the identity of the lucky pupil who will enjoy the train ride on the new Borders Railway.

The Golden Ticket was discovered by a delighted George Brydon who is a Primary 3 pupil.

Winners of the literacy vouchers were Jamie Marsh (P6), Frances Riley (P4) and Maya McPherson (P3).

The whole school had gathered together, many of them dressing as colourful Roald Dahl characters. The school family was joined by special visitor, Tweeddale East councillor Gavin Logan, as well as a number of Oompa-Loompas.

St Ronan’s headteacher Keith Belleville said: “George’s Papa, who originally hails from Galashiels, is a big border rail enthusiast so we are all thrilled for him.

“A distant relative of George’s is the Rev Brydon Maben who was a famous campaigner against the closure of the original Waverley line, and famously got arrested for obstructing the last train to run on the line before it closed. So in some ways it seems very fitting that George will be on that first train.”