PUPILS visiting a museum had their own satellite link-up to Australia this week - but the Olympic Games were far from their minds.

Youngsters from St Wilfred's School, York, were more interested in railway tracks than running tracks when they arrived at the city's National Railway Museum.

The ten and 11-year-olds used the latest technology to see a train travelling live "down under" as they helped to launch the museum's new education programme.

The children took part in a Jubilee Lecture, the first of its kind in the North, aimed at bringing technology to life for potential engineers of the future. The event included a demonstration of how a locomotive can be monitored live from 10,000 miles away, using equipment no bigger than a shoebox.

Chris Ford, head of education at the museum, said: "We know from past experience that youngsters thoroughly enjoy seeing stories brought to life and learn better when they are enjoying what they are doing. We also know that time out of the classroom is precious when teachers must deliver the curriculum to tight deadlines.