YOUNGSTERS are getting the chance to develop their artistic skills at a series of workshops with professional artists.

Over the next two weeks 150 pupils from five County Durham schools will take part in the sessions with members of the Bearpark Artists Co-operative, based at Bearpark, near Durham. The workshops have been designed for primary age pupils and are to be held at the dli, the museum and art gallery dedicated to the Durham Light Infantry.

The sessions coincide with an exhibition of schoolchild-ren's artwork being held at the museum.

A museum spokesman said: "The co-operative has a long tradition of working with scho-ols, hospitals, youth groups and community associations.

"Painter Barrie Ormsby, the current artist-in-residence with the National Blood Service, will lead children in drawing and painting inspired by the schools' exhibition, Our Time, Our Place, Our Lives."

Youngsters from Howden-le-Wear Primary School visited yesterday. Future sessions will involve pupils from Lumley Medway Infant School, St Thomas More Primary in Belmont, Durham Nettlesworth Primary and Thornley Primary