YOUNG people are crossing cultural boundaries by taking part in a multi-national sports project.

This week, youngsters from France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Slovakia arrived in County Durham to team up with pupils from The Hermitage School and Park View Community School, both in Chester-le-Street, for the Sport's Stars initiative.

The project is part of Durham County Council's plans to celebrate the European Year of Education through sport.

On Tuesday, the group of about 50 youngsters played games from each of the nations taking part.

Sarah Dunn, from the county council's International Office, said: "It's going really well. They've played basketball this morning and an Italian game called Tamburello, where they hit the ball to each other using something shaped like a tambourine.

"They're absolutely loving it. The language isn't such a problem when they're involved in sport."

Later in the week the group visited Newcastle United's ground, St James' Park and devised board games for younger children that will help them to understand life in other countries.

The young people taking part are all staying with host families in County Durham and were due to return home this weekend.