TWELVE children from Etherley Primary School, in Teesdale, dressed in traditional Spanish costumes to join 400 youngsters at a European Day at County Hall, Durham City, yesterday.

The annual event invites County Durham children to learn about the cultures of European countries.

Introduced by North-East Euro MP Stephen Hughes, this year the event had a Spanish theme.

More than a hundred pupils were taught traditional dances and tried Mediterranean food as part of the experience.

There was also a live video link with pupils from a school in Madrid, and children from Etherley were given the chance to converse with them in Spanish.