PUPILS have helped construct a new seat of learning using old colliery bricks.

Teenagers at Durham Trinity School's Kirkham site picked up skills while learning about the region's mining heritage in a project run under the guidance of community youth workers Dave and Pat Hill and class teacher Audrey Long.

They have just finished construction of a garden seat made out of bricks, each marked with the names of former collieries or mine owners from the Durham Coalfield.

The seat was dedicated this week in a safe garden area at the Aykley Heads school for teenagers with special educational needs.

Nine pupils from Raby class worked on the seat with the Hills as part of the Durham Mining History and Heritage project.

The youngsters wanted to learn about the colliery villages where some of them live as well as acquire bricklaying skills.

Through Mr Hills' contacts, they gathered bricks from long-demolished buildings on the site of collieries, including Pelton, Lumley and Eldon, some marked with distinctive symbols, such as fish.

John Charlton, of Durham County Council, taught the pupils the bricklaying techniques required to build two brick columns to support the seat.

Headteacher Julie Connolly said: "The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this project, and the seat will be a constant symbol and reminder of the work they have done on the heritage of the area."

As part of the dedication event, attended by parents, the youngsters were presented with Education in the Community skills awards and Mining History and Heritage accolades for their work.