CHILDREN at a Darlington school have spent two weeks designing and writing newspapers.

About 90 pupils in year five at Whinfield Primary School have learned about what makes the news, different newspapers, articles, puzzles and advertising.

In groups of four and five the students produced a newspaper after interviewing staff about changes in and around the school.

Emma Burt, nine, said: "I have enjoyed it. I liked doing the advertising and drawing the pictures and puzzles."

Adam Furmidge, ten, said: "I interviewed the cook and wrote about how she makes everything and how she works hard."

Teachers at the school came up with the project as a way of getting more creativity into literacy lessons and to help children learn through fun.

Connor Mitchel, nine, said: "I wrote a cricket story about England winning the Ashes. I learned that England is the best team in the world."

Abbey Cole, nine, said she thought being a journalist had been fun and she had written about football.

And Hannah Cossins, nine, said: "I learned that the sports page are at the back of the newspaper. I enjoyed interviewing and writing, so I would like to be a journalist."