THE tiny Forest-in-Teesdale Primary School in County Durham , has only 15 pupils, most of whom live on remote farms.

So receiving celebrity visitors is a rarity.

But now a new education package is beaming top authors into the school's classrooms via a satellite link.

The resource, Espresso for Primary Schools, was launched yesterday by children's author Anne Fine, who wrote the best-sellers Goggle-Eyes and Madame Doubtfire.

Ms Fine is one of four best-selling writers, including The Sheep Pig author Dick King-Smith, who have agreed to be interviewed for the curriculum-based service, which also features video footage of events from around the world.

Children can log on to the resource via their computer and get weekly updates via the satellite dish attached to their school.

Ms Fine, of Barnard Castle, said: "Authors get hundreds of invitations to speak at schools and I have given talks to as many as 1,000 children at a time, but it's very tempting to say no to a school that can only present you with five children.

"This way, I've only had to do one big interview and it's for anyone who wants to use it. I think it's a brilliant idea. You can see why very isolated schools would want it."

Headteacher Carol Connolly said: "We are situated in a very remote location, 15 miles from the nearest town of Barnard Castle, and information technology is vital to broadening the horizons of the children.

"With the click of a button they can now access tailored video footage of events from around the world. It really is incredibly eye-opening for them."

The service was created by Espresso Broadband plc which provides support and lesson ideas to primary school teachers.