SCHOOLS from rural areas will spend days with firefighters in a bid to learn more about health and safety.

It will be the sixth year that Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade will host the Carousel Safety event for schools in Wear Valley and Teesdale.

Youngsters aged between ten and 11 will attend the Masonic Hall in Shildon for the courses, which will show them how to deal with emergency situations.

The event is usually held at the Territorial Army offices in Bishop Auckland, but due to a last-minute hitch, the venue had to be switched.

Dave Turnbull, from Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade, said the brigade was grateful to the Shildon Masons for stepping in.

He said: "In effect, they have been our knights in shining armour. We were worried because we had nowhere to hold the event, then the Freemasons of Shildon offered us the Masonic Hall.

"It is ideal for what we want and they have given it free of charge. This is all about helping children in the community be more aware of how to handle emergencies and hopefully they will take this experience into adulthood."