A STUDENT teacher is bringing a flavour of the Baltic states to youngsters at a village school.

Zeta Zvirbule is spending the next six months at Tanfield Lea Junior School, in Tanfield Lea, near Stanley.

The 25-year-old exchange student, who comes from the north-east of Latvia, will spend two hours a week teaching her native tongue to the children.

She will learn how a North-East school works, while explaining Latvian traditions and culture to pupils.

"I am quite impressed with the way of working over here," she said. "I have been observing for a week, but I am looking forward to teaching the children my native language."

Miss Zvirbule, has spent the past five years working in Stockholm, Sweden, and will also be teaching some of its language and customs to the youngsters.

She is living in Newcastle during her stay and is already enjoying the vibrant city.

"I love the theatre, the nightclubs and bars," she said. "The North-East has both a very rich cultural life and a beautiful landscape."

Kay Hemmings, headteacher, said: "It is great for the children, because they are going to benefit from finding out about two cultures."