YOUNG people have been celebrating a link with their German counterparts which has lasted for 30 years, cementing ties they hope to keep long into the future.

Pupils from Framwellgate School, in Durham City, hosted members of the Vfl Rheinhausen, a sports club from the Ruhr district of Gemany, in a week of sports and other activities.

During their stay, Framwellgate School organised a football match at Archibald's Stadium, home of Durham City Football Club. They drew 4-4.

Events co-ordinator Alan Beveridge said: "Our school has operated a sports exchange with Vfl Rheinhausen for the past 30 years.

"The initial contact was made when Durham twinned with Rheinhausen in the Seventies, and they were looking for a school to become involved.

"The twinning arrangement has drifted to the town of Sedgefield, but we have always maintained our links."

Mr Beveridge said the exchange - they take turns to visit the other every year - offered the opportunity for boys and girls to experience the culture and customs of another country, and to foster friendships which continued long after they have left school.

He said: "It is a strong friendship which has developed over the years.

"At presentation evening on Good Friday, many former pupils of Framwellgate, who were involved more than 15 years ago, came along."

Neils Petersen, of Vfl Rheinhausen, said: "This link is important because it gives us the opportunity to do something where our whole club is involved.

"We have a range of sports, and our members come from all backgrounds.

It is also important for us to learn English too.

" We hope this will carry on for another 30 years, and longer."

Fellow youth leader Reinhard Zepp said: "We come from a former and mining and steel area, which is like Durham in many ways.

"It is the same situation, with closed mines and steelworks.

This brings our two countries closer together. We are taking children and showing them different culture as well."

During their stay, the German guests visited the Stadium of Light to see the Sunderland v Chelsea match, and went to Newcastle's Centre for Life and Whitley Bay Ice Rink.

They also travelled to York, to visit the National Railway Musuem and Jorvik Museum.

They also stayed a night in the Peak District, followed by a day at Alton Towers Leisure Park.

They returned home after watching the Durham City v Ashington game at the weekend.