HUNDREDS of youngsters celebrated Europe Day by donning fancy dress.

About 300 children from 32 County Durham schools took part in the celebration, at Durham County Council's headquarters.

The event focused on Denmark, with emphasis on the work of Hans Christian Andersen, as this year is the bicentenary of his birth.

Storytelling, music and drama workshops, Danish language, ICT quiz and food-tasting were lined up for the year five pupils, who had already been learning about the famous Danish writer and his stories.

The children wore fancy dress, either with a European theme or as a character from one of Andersen's tales, with a prize for the best costume.