CULTURES from around the world are being brought into the classroom in a bid to tackle racism.

North Yorkshire County Council has set up a fund to promote equality and diversity following a grant by the Yorkshire and Humber Global Schools Association.

Council officials hope the fund will enable pupils to experience different cultures, value diversity and challenge racism, at the same time as promoting good relations between people of different ethnic backgrounds.

The council says it will help schools to make an impact on the cultural awareness and development of young people and prepare them to be active, responsible citizens.

Many schools will be encouraged to forge closer links with schools in Africa and develop particular projects to introduce pupils to issues of diversity.

Councillor Chris Metcalfe, the county council's executive member for education, said: "Projects like this mean that young people can get a more outward-looking perspective on life, and the local education authority is delighted to be able to make it happen.

"It's all about preparing children to live in today's society which is becoming increasingly interconnected and diverse."

At Kirkby and Great Broughton C of E School, near Stokesley, a £300 grant from the county council's new fund will be used to develop an existing citizenship and communication project, which was originally funded by a £2,000 grant from BT.

Children have e-mailed their peers at an inner city school, and at a school in Kenya.

The project will culminate in a two-week celebration in June, when artists, dancers and musicians from various cultures will work with school children and the local community.

Headteacher, Jean Yendall said: "Roop Singh, Sikh storyteller, will start this celebratory event off by telling the children stories, describing Sikh life and customs and helping them through drama workshops to develop strategies to deal with prejudice, including racism."

Among the other schools benefiting from the fund are Leeming RAF County School, Northallerton College, Manor Infants in Harrogate, Tockwith C of E, Melsonby Methodist, Ryedale School and Airy Hill in Whitby.