PUPILS at a primary school have been asked to come clean about how much help they give with household chores.

The query comes from children at Kutsukake Elementary School, in Japan. They want to know how much housework - including cooking, cleaning, laundry, mowing the lawn and carrying shopping home - is done by children at St Michael's RC Primary School, in the village of Esh, near Durham City.

The two schools established links last year as part of an international partnership involving schools across the county, developed by Durham County Council's international team.

Pupils have exchanged emails and letters about their lives, to help develop their understanding of other cultures.

Now the parent and teacher association at Kutsukake Elementary is hoping to compare how regularly pupils at the two schools help with household chores.

Sister Anna Ryan, headteacher at St Michael's, said: "It will be very interesting to compare how much and what type of housework children do here and in Japan.

"Our survey showed that tidying bedrooms, putting toys away, looking after pets and washing the car are the most common ways that children at our school help out around the home.

"The links with Kutsukake Elementary School are going really well and the children have recently received some beautifully written letters from the pupils in Japan.

"It's an excellent way for the children to learn more about the Japanese culture and language."

Brian Stobie, international officer at Durham County Council, said: "The project is aimed at giving pupils the chance to learn more about cultures and lifestyles in other countries so that they can increase their understanding and awareness of the world around them."