AN arts festival celebrating global culture took place in Middlesbrough at the weekend.

For the past two months, children in North Ormesby had been rehearsing for the One World Arts Festival.

On Friday, 60 children from the town's primary schools put together a performance of dance, music and drama.

The next day, they celebrated with art from around the world, with workshops in samba, African drums, Asian stick dancing and didgeridoo playing.

Rich Townend, co-ordinator of the event, said: "It has given hundreds of children a flavour of art and culture from around the world, as well as addressing other global issues such as racism and poverty.

"It was appropriate that we were celebrating the diversity of culture from around the world while the Live8 concert was taking place."