A CENTURIES-OLD tradition is being revived in Hartlepool with the help of local schoolchildren.

Youngsters from the town's Catcote School spent time at Summerhill recently to begin cultivating a garden area with emmer, a traditional type of wheat.

Once the crop has grown, it is hoped to mill the flour and bake bread as part of a project to bring the 100-acre countryside site's history alive.

The youngsters are being supported by Claire Smith, a landscape interpretation officer, who is eager to promote Summerhill's archaeological importance.

She said: "The children from Catcote School were a great help and really enjoyed themselves planting the emmer seed."

Summerhill will hold an archaeological open day on Sunday, June 23. A living history group will recreate 5th Century life