A £25,000 computer suite is giving school language students a window on to the rest of the world.

Investment in new technology at Sunnydale School, Shildon, means that teachers and students have software packages which give them direct communication with counterparts at schools in other countries.

A modern foreign languages suite opened yesterday, when year ten student Cassie Howe cut a ceremonial ribbon and classmate Lee Teasdale read a short blessing.

All the Yellow Room's 31 networked computers are linked to the Internet and there is an interactive whiteboard and plasma screen, plus video conferencing facilities.

It brings the number of computers available to pupils up to 300.

Acting headteacher John Sewell said: "This suite is a further example of our commitment to using information and communication technology as a tool to teaching and learning. It has been designed to accommodate future trends in learning, which will focus on the development of e-mail and other forms of electronic communication."

Head of languages Lesley Wearmouth said: "We intend to push the boundaries of language learning by giving our pupils the opportunity to access the world beyond Shildon. Communicating with the people beyond our immediate boundaries is what makes the world a civilised place."