PUPILS from across Europe have been given a taste of life in the North-East thanks to an exchange programme with a Darlington school.

Youngsters from primary schools in Italy, Holland and Germany joined youngsters from Darlington’s Heathfield Primary School for a week of lessons and visiting the region’s attractions.

The children, aged from nine to 11-years-old, took part in a variety of activities including medieval role play at Alnwick Castle, visiting Preston Park Museum and joining in the St George’s Day celebrations in Darlington.

John Steel, who co-ordinated the visit, said it had been beneficial for all involved.

He said: “They certainly get an awareness of how different schools can be – and also how similar as well.

“They have developed really good social skills; it is sometimes hard enough to make friends when there isn’t a language barrier and they’ve seen that when language is a barrier, it almost makes it easier.”

Silke Esser, who accompanied pupils from St. Franziskus Schule near Dusseldorf, Germany, said that the trip had been enjoyed by all.

“The children are really happy, they have enjoyed themselves very much and we have seen a lot,” she said, adding that the trip also gave the pupils the chance to practice their English.

The Darlington exchange was part of a programme where each school hosts a group of each other’s pupils and enables them take part in lessons and explore the local culture of the host country.

The programme has an umbrella theme of ‘Festivals of Friends for Friends’ and the Darlington trip was timed to coincide with St George’s Day.