CHILDREN at a North-East infants school are the stars of a new book to go on sale around the country.

Dodmire Infants School, in Darlington, was approached by publishers who wanted to feature it in a geography book about the different ways children can travel to school.

It was felt that Dodmire would be ideal as publishers of the book, aimed at Key Stage 1 children, needed a traditional school in the North-East.

The book focuses on pupils Shirley Sung and Alex Stephenson as the main characters, but features photographs of many other children who attend Dodmire.

Photographer Chris Fairclough visited Darlington for a day last year and followed the children on their routes to school.

Some of the names and places were changed and a little artistic license was used, but Darlington still figures strongly.

Pictures in the book include St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington Memorial Hospital, the railway station and, of course, Dodmire school.

Children are featured travelling to school on foot, by car, on a bus and by bicycle.

Dodmire headteacher Maureen Dixon, who is also pictured in the book, said: "I think it's a very nice book with some lovely pictures in it and it's really nice to see photos of our children.

"I think it will be very interesting for people in Darlington because it shows the centre of the town.

"Some of the children are now in the junior school and they think they're famous because they're in the book."

The book, called The Journey to School, is part of a series and should be available in bookshops throughout the country later this year.