A LEADING Chinese official met North-East dignitaries during a visit to the region.

Consul General Li Yongsheng, the tenth Chinese Consul General in Manchester, met Durham County Council chairman John Robinson and leader Simon Henig at County Hall.

Mr Li had requested the meeting to further relations between County Durham and his homeland.

He was presented with coal figurine of Durham Cathedral.

Councillor Robinson said: "We were very pleased to welcome Mr Li to County Durham.

"The discussion was very interesting and he offered to work with us to help promote the county as an educational and tourist destination."

Mandarin is now taught in three County Durham secondary schools and a Durham Chinese School was established in 2002.