HUNDREDS of children stayed active thanks to a Teesdale school.

Barnard Castle School remained open to enable youngsters to take part in an annual activity week designed to forge closer links with the community.

Staff, pupils and former pupils helped coach and encourage children in a variety of sports, from rounders, cricket, tennis and basketball, to squash, swimming, badminton and hockey.

There were also a variety of arts and crafts activities.

Almost 700 children took part in the five-day event.

Sports teacher Martin Lewis said: "It is something we have been running for the past seven years and it is proving to be as popular as ever. We had many children booking places as far back as December."