TEESDALE children have been going back to school in their summer holidays, but there was not a textbook in sight.

About 170 children turned up when Barnard Castle School opened its doors to the community for its annual activity week.

They took part in sporting and creative activities ranging from golf, tennis, cricket, swimming and squash to arts and crafts, canoeing, Danish long ball and catch the flag.

Activity week has been running for the past eight years and is as popular as ever.

Organiser Martyn Lewis said: "It is great to be able to share our facilities with children from the community. It is also useful for the children who will start here next month to get a feel for the place and make new friends."

Eight staff and a dozen young volunteers, including some former pupils, run the event.

Mr Lewis said: "It is very much based on goodwill and the volunteers do a fantastic job.

"It has a real family atmosphere to it and the main thing is that the children have a fabulous time."