HUNDREDS of children will be taking part in dance festivals at two schools.

The first will involve 250 children, aged four to 14, at Teesdale Comprehensive School, Barnard Castle, on Friday.

Pupils from eight primary schools will join older children to demonstrate a wide variety of dance types.

The second festival will be at Staindrop Comprehensive School, near Barnard Castle, on Wednesday, when pupils will be joined by youngsters from seven other primary schools in the area.

Both events are part of the school sport co-ordinator programme, a three-year government-funded project to raise standards and encourage more pupils to enjoy sports.

At each festival pupils will be given a set time to perform their own dances.