CHILDREN from primary schools received a flavour of other cultures as part of an international festival.

About 60 youngsters aged ten and 11 from Chester-le-Street took part in the Bridge the Gap Festival. They worked with year sevens at Park View Community School to help them appreciate the North-East's multi-cultural society.

Youngsters went shopping at Chinese and Indian supermarkets to buy ingredients for a celebratory meal for Dur-ham North MP Kevan Jones.

He said: "Ten out of ten should be given to all teachers parents and children involved in this event, which has made learning about different cultures enjoyable. The food was very tasty."

As well as continental cuisine, children experienced African song and dance, Chinese decorative arts, Russian and Hindu dance.

Pupil Tom Parker, 12, said: "I've had fun. We learnt about new cultures and did things we haven't tried before."

Deputy headteacher Kim Cowie said: "The aim was to give the children an experience of working across a wide range of cultures that they normally do not have the opportunity to experience and it has exceeded all of our expectations."

"The whole experience has been amazing for all those involved in the week and has broadened horizons and students have grown emotionally and intellectually."