BRIDGE is generally thought to be one of the world’s more complicated card games, but for a group of primary pupils it has become child’s play.

Since Christmas, about 60 year two children at St Margaret’s CE Primary in Durham have been taking weekly bridge lessons.

Bridge enthusiast Gianna Ulyatt has been visiting the school to teach the basics of the game in a weekly 45-minute lesson.

During the sessions, the six and seven-year-olds learn a wide variety of maths skills through playing the game as well as other skills such as collaborating with fellow players, hand/eye co-ordination when dealing the deck and taking turns.

Year two teacher Amy Bell said: “They have absolutely loved it and learned lots of skills without even knowing they were learning.

“There is a lot of mathematics, a lot of logical thinking and a lot of forward thinking, predicting what other children would do rather than guessing."

One problem the young children have had to overcome is holding so many cards in their small hands, so they each had support boards made to help them play.

Mrs Ulyatt, a member of Durham and Chester-le-Street Bridge Clubs, said: “It’s a fabulous hobby and the children thoroughly enjoy playing bridge, they get very excited during lessons."

Mrs Ulyatt said she is willing to teach bridge to other groups of children and any school interested in introducing the game can contact her via giannaulyatt@hotmail.co.uk