THE magical sound of hand chimes has been discovered by Teesside primary schoolchildren.

Children at Yarm Primary School and nearby Levendale Primary School used the chimes after they were donated to their community.

The Reverend Clay Roundtree, of St Mary Magdalene, Yarm, said that the Yarm parish churches had raised money for the chimes and had received an £870 grant from Stockton Borough Council to buy them.

"The children have really enjoyed them," said Mr Roundtree, who is originally from the US.

"I would like to thank both the school headteachers, Sandra Jones at Levendale school and George Barber at Yarm primary, for helping to organise the children's concerts recently and everyone who has helped obtain these instruments for our community at Yarm."

The chimes are the property of Yarm's Fellowship Hall, a community and church hall often used for plays and other community events.