PUPILS have been getting to grips with Europe's new currency, the euro.

Primary school children, who may one day use the coins and notes in their everyday lives, took part in a euro activity day.

The event, at the headquarters of Durham County Council, in Durham City, was organised by the authority's international office.

The youngsters handled euro notes, learned which countries were in the 12-strong euro zone, made euro converters, learned its value to the pound, and played a game in which they bought as many items as possible with 50 euros.

Brian Stobie, the council's international officer, said that activities from the day would be made available to other schools.

Schools that took part in the event were Shotton Hall Junior, near Peterlee, Hare Law Special, at Annfield Plain, near Stanley, and St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary, at Stanley.