AN African drummer has been passing on his skills to children at a village school.

Robert Maseko, who was born in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, led drumming workshops at Sherburn Village Primary School yesterday, as part of the schools' African week.

About 170 pupils, aged four to 11, took part. Other activities included theatre workshops, African storytelling and dancing.

On Friday, the school will host a disco to raise money for former pupil Abigail Silcock, who is planning to travel to Africa to work as a volunteer in an orphanage.

Teacher Heather Sutherland said: It's been wonderful. I think the children have really enjoyed having visitors in. It's nice for them to see different faces."

She added: "The year sixes were doing Sats the week, before so its a nice week for them."