CHILDREN found they could write as if by magic on their teacher's whiteboard as their school entered the space age this week.

Oaktree Primary School, in Stockton, has installed 17 computer appliances called interactive whiteboards at a cost of about £60,000.

That means that the children can write on their teacher's board from their own desks as part of interactive lessons.

The children can also make their own DVDs, have their own e-mail addresses, make their own music and see historic video footage all as part of their day-to-day lessons.

"They absolutely love it," said information and computer technology teacher Dave McPartlin.

"You'd think they were playing video games but, of course, they are actually drinking in so much more information."

Mr McPartlin said the money for the boards came from the Government after it was applied for directly by the school.

The Local Education Authority also contributed two of the 6ft by 4ft interactive whiteboards to the school