YOUNGSTERS at a Hartlepool primary school have been named as the town's European champions.

Nineteen schools recently put their language skills to the test as part of a European Day of Languages.

The theme for the competition was Taste and Talk, and it involved pupils serving dishes from around the world and speaking the language of the countries where the food is traditional.

West View Primary School was judged the winner, for involving the whole school, and received the Junior European Cup from Councillor Cath Hill, Hartlepool Borough Council cabinet member for children's services.

Christine Robertson, the council's modern foreign languages co-ordinator, said: "It was a fantastic day, and all the schools who took part deserve a big pat on the back for their efforts.

"It was difficult selecting a winner, but the cup went to West View because of their enormous whole-school effort.

Every child, from nursery to year six, took part, as well as almost 200 parents.

"Five different languages were spoken - French, German, Italian, Spanish and Greek - and traditional food from each country was tasted.

Even the kitchen staff joined in and provided a European lunch."