SCHOOLCHILDREN were set a puzzle challenge designed to give them their first taste of teamwork.

Girls and boys as young as four from Barnard Castle Preparatory School took part in the event staged by the Happy Puzzle Company.

Pupils were set a variety of tasks to stimulate their problem-solving skills and get them working as a team.

They included puzzle picture blocks, constructing tubing and balancing toy penguins on an iceberg with one hand behind their backs.

Director of studies Christine Lane said: "At this age, children are in their individual stage and the challenge was to get them to pull together and listen to each others' ideas.

"They have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and started to work as a team, which is not always the case in this age group."

Happy Puzzle Company senior manager Richard Crossley said: "They are quite young for this type of project, but have all been amazingly engaged.

"It is a good thing to get over the teamwork message and to achieve this with children so young is very positive."